Gerakan files defamation suit against Guan Eng

GEORGE TOWN: Gerakan today filed a defamation suit against Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng for defaming the party over the sale of land at the Penang High Court.
The suit was filed by Gerakan secretary-general Datuk Liang Teck Meng via Datuk Baljit Singh and named Lim as the defendant.
According to the statement of claim, the party alleged Lim had made several defamatory statements on the sale of land in Tanjung Pinang against the party on social media and listed seven incidences.
It alleged Lim made the statements in regards to land in Tanjung Pinang which was said to have been sold for RM1 per square foot during the Barisan Nasional (BN) administration under the then leadership of Tan Sri Koh Tsu Koon.
It said the statements were made in malice and “mala fide” (bad faith) and to damage the name and character of the plaintiff in the eyes of the public.
Gerakan is seeking several reliefs, including general, exemplary and punitive damages, a 5% interest to be imposed on all three damages from the date of judgement, ordering Lim to apologise, costs and other relief deemed fit by the courts.
In a press conference after filing the suit, Liang alleged that Lim had repeated the statements many times and Gerakan had responded that the claims were not true.
He also dismissed the accusation his party was practising double standards in filing the suit against Lim as his party has never taken legal action against the media.
“We have repeatedly said the allegations of selling RM1 per square foot was not true, so we are now taking legal action,” he said.