Gerakan's No 2 granted ad-interim stay of execution in LGE defamation suit
Gerakan deputy president Oh Tong Keong filed an appeal on May 21 to challenge the judgment delivered by the High Court in George Town, Penang, on May 7. (Facebook pic)
PETALING JAYA : Gerakan's Oh Tong Keong has been granted an ad-interim stay of execution of a High Court decision ordering him to pay damages to Lim Guan Eng for falsely accusing the former finance minister of helping a concert organiser obtain tax exemptions.
On Sunday, FMT reported that Oh, who is the party's deputy president, had filed an application for a stay of execution on May 22 pending the outcome of his appeal against the High Court's verdict which awarded Lim RM550,000 in damages.
Penang Gerakan today said that it had successfully raised RM200,000 to help Oh pay the damages.
'In addition, several generous individuals have stepped forward to temporarily advance another RM300,000, allowing us to fully gather a total of RM500,000,' it said in a Facebook post.
The party's state chapter said that it would continue to raise funds to repay the advanced funds.
Oh's Lawyer, Chai Ko Thing, last week said the appeal was filed on May 21.
On May 7, the High Court awarded Lim RM550,000 in damages after ruling that Oh had falsely accused him of helping a concert organiser obtain tax exemptions while the former was the finance minister.
Justice Kenneth St James ruled that Oh had defamed Lim at a press conference on Sept 25, 2019, and through a press release sent out via Penang Gerakan's official email address. The remarks were later published by China Press, which was also found liable.
Oh had questioned why Lim had granted tax exemptions to WGW Entertainment Sdn Bhd and its owner, Hendrik Huang, for a Mandopop concert at Spice Arena.
The judge found that Oh had no basis for his claims and gave no evidence that Lim knew Huang or had granted any tax privileges.
He said although Oh's statements were framed as questions, they were found to be defamatory in nature and did not qualify as fair comment.
Oh was also ordered to publish an unconditional apology to Lim in China Press, online and in print. He was also barred from repeating the claims.
China Press was ordered to pay RM150,000 in damages, RM80,000 in costs, and interest at 5% per annum.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Free Malaysia Today
4 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Toddler dies after MPV rams car from behind
Dashcam images from a viral video showing the MPV approaching from behind and ramming the car. PETALING JAYA : A two-year-old girl died from her injuries after the car she was in was rammed from behind by a Toyota Alphard on the North-South Expressway near Muar, Johor, on Monday. Berita Harian reported that Ayesha Sofea Anwaruddin died on Wednesday morning after spending two days in intensive care fighting for her life. The toddler was with her family of four in a Proton Saga, which was on the left lane of the highway. A viral video of the dashcam footage showed the Alphard ramming into the car from behind. Muar police chief Raiz Mukhliz Azman Aziz confirmed that one of the passengers in the Saga had died in the crash which happened around 7.30am on May 26. 'The multipurpose vehicle (MPV) involved is believed to have lost control before crashing into the back of the car. This caused the car to lose control and skid before crashing into the road divider,' he said in a statement. Raiz said the driver and other two passengers in the Saga also sustained injuries. A breathalyser test cleared the driver of the Alphard from being under the influence of alcohol or any banned substance. He appealed for witnesses to come forward and assist in investigations.
Free Malaysia Today
4 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Drama around Tengku Zafrul's exit seems orchestrated, says Kedah Umno
Kedah Umno information chief Shaiful Hazizy Zainol Abidin (left) has labelled Tengku Zafrul Aziz, who is the investment, trade and industry minister, as a 'first-class political tourist'. PETALING JAYA : Kedah Umno is uncomfortable with what it has called 'a drama' and 'political manoeuvres' orchestrated by PKR following Tengku Zafrul Aziz's decision to quit Umno. Kedah Umno information chief Shaiful Hazizy Zainol Abidin said the statements released by PKR vice-president Amirudin Shari and PKR Youth chief Kamil Munim make the entire matter seem 'planned and celebrated'. 'The series of statements from PKR figures seem to send a direct message to Umno that etiquette does not matter in our cooperation and that political moves can be arranged without regard for the sensitivities of the main partners in the unity government,' he said in a statement today. Shaiful called for a stop to the 'drama' surrounding Tengku Zafrul for the sake of stable, honest and sincere political cooperation. 'We cannot continue to sacrifice our principles for the sake of power. Umno is ready to cooperate, not to be a plaything in the political narratives of others.' Shaiful also branded Tengku Zafrul, who is the investment, trade and industry minister, a 'first-class political tourist'. Yesterday, Amirudin said Tengku Zafrul's entry into PKR could bolster the party's credibility and expressed confidence that they could work well together. Kamil said Tengku Zafrul, being a corporate figure, could bring 'added value' to the party given the latter's experience. However, PKR secretary-general Fuziah Salleh said any such application to join the party would have to go through the usual processes, taking into account the views and perspectives of the party's partners in the unity government. Tengku Zafrul's decision confirms rumours that spread in February that he would be leaving Umno and joining PKR before his term as a senator expires at the year end.
Free Malaysia Today
4 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
167 top Hindu SPM scorers receive cash awards from PHEB
Chief minister Chow Kon Yeow (second from right) and Senator Dr RA Lingeshwaran (right) with Darshini Subash Sun, who received a trophy, laptop and RM450 for her 9A+ in SPM. GEORGE TOWN : A total of 167 Hindu students from 37 schools in Penang who scored 7As and above in the 2024 SPM examination received a total of RM70,200 in cash awards today. Chief minister Chow Kon Yeow said the initiative by the Penang Hindu Endowments Board (PHEB) recognised academic excellence and reflected the state's ongoing commitment to educational development. 'I am extremely proud of the 819 candidates in Penang who obtained straight As in the 2024 SPM exam,' he said at the award presentation at Kompleks Masyarakat Penyayang here today. Chow said as of May this year, PHEB had allocated around RM1.5 million to support 1,217 students across the state. PHEB deputy chairman Senator Dr RA Lingeshwaran said this was the second consecutive year the board had recognised outstanding Hindu students in the SPM examination. He said each student would receive RM50 for every A, with amounts ranging from RM350 for 7As to RM550 for 11As. The most outstanding scorer with 9A+, Darshini Subash Sun from SMK Hussein Onn, received a trophy, laptop and RM450. Kuhan Tharman, an 8A student from SMJK Chung Ling, received RM400. Lingeshwaran said that between 2023 and May 2025, PHEB had channelled RM883,607 into education aid for students pursuing certificate, diploma and degree programmes, as well as welfare assistance. In total, nearly RM1 million had been spent, benefitting at least 1,028 Hindus in Penang, he said. 'This year, PHEB received RM2 million in state funding, up from RM1.5 million last year,' he said.
