KUALA LUMPUR – High court judicial commissioner Roz Mawar Rozain has advised Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and Lim Guan Eng to consider mediation before the trial dates for their ongoing defamation suit next year.
Lim’s lawyer, Guok Ngek Seong, told reporters after today’s case management that Roz Mawar wanted the parties to consider the advice to resolve the case before the trial begins, between July 15 and 19, 2024.
He said the former prime minister and former minister of finance were asked to update the court on the outcome of her advice during the December 7 case management session.
The Bagan parliamentarian had filed a defamation suit against Muhyiddin, or his registered name, Mahiaddin Md Yassin, at the high court here on March 27. The suit was filed by his counsel, Messrs Guok Partnership.
The suit was filed after Muhyiddin made a statement upon being investigated by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission on March 9. Muhyiddin had claimed that the Pakatan Harapan administration had revoked tax exemptions for the Al-Bukhary Foundation, claiming that it was Lim’s instruction while in office as finance minister.
Lim, in his statement of defence, claimed that Muhyiddin’s alleged defamatory statement was published on the latter’s Facebook page, which was accessible to the public.
The statement, Lim said, was deemed to have depicted him abusing his then position and power by instructing the Inland Revenue Board to impose tax and penalties on a welfare foundation.
He also claimed that the Pagoh MP’s statement depicted him as anti-Malay and anti-Islam, as well as a vindictive person.
Through his suit, Lim is demanding that Muhyiddin retract his statement and issue a public apology, as well as a court injunction restraining Muhyiddin from issuing or publishing the alleged defamatory statement.
He also seeks general, aggravated, and punitive damages to be assessed and determined by the court. – October 4, 2023