LGE open to filing more libel suits after Utusan's settlement

GEORGE TOWN: Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng may file more libel suits against sections of mainstream and alternative media who continue to vilify him through spun-up tales of racism, bigotry and religious bias.
Despite a rash of court decisions which had ruled that Lim was a victim of libel and inaccurate reporting, Lim said that there are still sections of the media including newspapers and social media operators, who reportedly continue to defame him.
"I do not know why! Maybe I am an easy target but this is unfair and it should be stopped. I am studying the matter and I shall not hesitate filing more retributions against such perpetrators," Lim, who is also the DAP secretary-general, told a press conference outside the High Court here.
He was at the courthouse following the decision by Utusan Melayu (Malaysia) Berhad as the first defendent and its features' editor Zulkifli Jalil as the second, to agree to settle their libel suit with the Finance Minister after a more than three-year-long legal wrangle.
The publication through Zulkifli tendered an open-ended apology to Lim in open court before justice Datuk Rosilah Yop.
The apology was part of a consent judgment in Lim's defamation suit against the paper and Zulkifli.
The newspaper must also soon publish a printed apology to Lim after their defence counsel and the plaintiff agreed to a settlement to bring closure to the case.
Lim's counsel, Datuk N. Mureli has to make a written submission by Oct 19 on the quantum of general damages and costs, which the court will decide on Nov 23.
The former Penang Chief Minister filed the suit after an article was published on April 10, 2015 alleging that Penang's wakaf land had come under the purview of the chief minister's office.
Lim had earlier proven to the court that such claims were baseless.