Gerakan No 2 appeals RM550k payment to Guan Eng for defamation

Summary

• Gerakan deputy president Oh Tong Keong appeals against a High Court order for him to pay more than half a million ringgit in damages to DAP veteran Lim Guan Eng for defamation.

• Oh’s lawyer says a stay of execution for the payment has also been filed, pending the disposal of the appeal.

Gerakan deputy president Oh Tong Keong has filed an appeal against a High Court ruling that ordered him to pay RM550,000 in damages to DAP veteran Lim Guan Eng for defamation.

Oh’s lawyer, Chai Ko Thing, said the appeal was filed on May 21.

“The application for a stay of execution was filed on May 22 pending the outcome of the appeal to the Court of Appeal,” Chai told Free Malaysia Today.

He added that case management was scheduled for tomorrow (May 26).

On May 7, the George Town High Court ruled in favour of Lim, determining that Oh had defamed the former finance minister by falsely alleging he assisted a concert organiser in securing tax exemptions.

Judge Kenneth St James ordered Oh to pay RM400,000 in general damages, RM100,000 in costs, and five percent per annum interest from the date the writ was filed.

The case is regarding Oh’s press conference on Sept 25, 2019, where he asked whether Lim had helped WGW Entertainment Sdn Bhd and its owner, Hendrik Huang, secure tax exemptions for the “Fantastic Duo” Mandopop concert at Spice Arena, Bayan Lepas, which was later cancelled.

He reportedly produced photos of Lim and Huang and official letters from the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry at the press conference in an attempt to imply a connection.

Oh’s queries were also carried in a press release from Penang Gerakan and were published in China Press.

Oh was also ordered to publish an unconditional apology to Lim in both online and print versions of China Press, and is barred from making the defamatory statements again.

China Press was ordered to pay RM150,000 in damages, RM80,000 in costs, and five percent interest per annum.

Najib's contempt bid against ex-AG 'abuse of process', says AGC

Najib files contempt proceedings against ex-AG over royal addendum

Court dismisses Bung, Zizie's request to review order to enter defence

Zahid's committal proceedings hearing against Dr M postponed to July 21

Ex-shop assistant fined RM100 for 'insulting' TikTok broadcast

Court of Appeal to hear ex-Sabah minister's review bid on July 9