High Court dismisses defamation suit against PKR leaders

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KUCHING: The High Court here yesterday dismissed a defamation suit filed by former Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) Bintulu chairman Henry Ling against two state Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) leaders.

Ling, who is a lawyer by profession, named state PKR secretary Abang Zulkifli Abang Engkeh and state PKR women’s chief Nurhamim Mokhsen as the defendants.

In passing the judgement, Justice Datuk Rhodzariah Bujang ruled that no defamation was established, while the defence of leave and licences and fair comment were established.

She dismissed the case with costs of RM5,000 awarded to the defendants.

The statement of claim filed by Ling stated that in the run-up to the last state election held on April 16, 2011, the defendants held a press conference on Feb 9 chastising Ling for accusing PKR de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim of urging the people to revolt against the government.

The content of the press conference was published in three main local Chinese dailies – Sinchew Daily, United Daily News and See Hua Daily News.

The defendants had asked Ling to retract his statement as well as to be responsible for the remarks and make a public apology for the remarks made against Anwar.

Among others, Ling claimed that he was accused of being a liar and unfit to be an SUPP leader.

He sought around RM1 million in losses.

Ling represented himself while Jamilah Baharuddin represented the defendants.