Ex-finance minister Lim Guan Eng has hauled ex-Penang exco member Dr Afif Bahardin to the civil court over alleged defamation.

The ex-Penang chief minister is suing the Taman Medan assemblyperson over the allegation the former did not allocate RM20 million to the Penang Bumiputera Council.

According to the defamation suit cause papers, Lim (above) alleged Afif made the baseless allegation during a speech during the Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election on May 2.

The plaintiff claimed the speech described him as failing to allow the federal allocation when he was finance minister in the Dr Mahathir Mohamad administration between 2018 and 2020.

The Bagan MP rubbished the statement as untrue, claiming it made him appear to be a racist who did not care about the welfare of bumiputera in Penang.

The DAP chairperson claimed that the Bersatu lawmaker did not abide by the former’s letter of demand for an apology and compensation.

Multiple reliefs, injunction

Via the defamation suit, Lim is seeking multiple reliefs, among them unspecified general, compensatory, aggravated, and exemplary damages.

The plaintiff also seeks an injunction to prevent the defendant from further repeating the alleged defamatory statement.

Dr Afif Bahardin

Afif was Penang Agriculture, Agro-based Industries, Rural Development and Health exco from 2013 until 2020.

The former PKR member served under both the state administrations of Lim and Chow Kon Yeow.

Lim filed the writ of summons at the Petaling Jaya Sessions Court on Aug 6.

Following case management on Sept 5, the civil court has issued several directions, among them for Afif to file his statement of defence by Sept 24.

The court also directed for Lim to file his reply to the defence by Oct 8, and for both parties to file any interlocutory applications by Oct 22.

Law firm Thiru Jegatish & Associates represented Lim.

Law firm Chetan Jethwani acted for Afif.

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