Penang Umno fails in RM30mil suit against CM

 

The Kuala Lumpur High Court has struck out a RM30 million defamation suit filed by Penang Umno chairperson Zainal Abidin Osman against Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng and three others.

Justice Amelia Tee Hong Geok Abdullah made the decision in chambers this morning.

Jagdeep Singh Deo, representing Lim, told reporters that the judge agreed with a preliminary objection filed by lead counsel Karpal Singh, who had argued that Zainal had no locus standi to initiate the case.

In a submission in May, Karpal had said that Zainal was not declared and registered by the Registrar of Societies (ROS) as a public officer who could initiate the suit.

Zainal Abidin (left), 52, had filed the suit on Oct 24 last year against the four defendants for having allegedly linked Umno with the demonstrations in Komtar and on Penang Bridge, as well as an arson attempt on the DAP's state headquarters last year.

He had also named PKR president Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, party organ Keadilan Daily publisher Segmen Fleksibel Sdn Bhd and its chief news editor Fazallah Pit.

In the written judgement, Justice Tee said the court was of the view that the plaintiff was not authorised to commence the action on behalf of Umno Penang state liaison committee as he is not the public officer registered by the ROS, for the purpose of suing on behalf of the state liaison committee.

"The court agrees with the preliminary objections as taken by the defendants. The court hereby rules that the plaintiff has no locus standi to commence this suit.

"As such, the court herewith orders that the plaintiff's suit against the defendants be struck off with costs be taxed unless otherwise agreed between the parties," she said.

'Unexpected sweet victory'
In an immediate reaction, Lim and Wan Azizah described the ruling today as an "unexpected sweet victory".

"The unexpected victory not only belongs to me, but most importantly to our fight for freedom of press, especially on the right of reply.

"This is also a sweet victory for the people who stand firm on justice and freedom," the DAP secretary-general told reporters outside the court.

Lim (right) said the arson attack could have been a backlash on Umno's sensationalist criticism over the call for prayer ban.

Umno had given Lim time to apologise and withdraw his statement but he had refused to do so.