By Shannon Teoh
The Malaysian Insider
Jun 22, 2012
UPDATED @ 03:45:31 PM 22-06-2012
KUALA LUMPUR, June 22 — The Penang High Court today found Utusan Malaysia guilty of defaming Lim Guan Eng, the second such ruling in six months, and ordered the Umno daily to pay him RM200,000 in damages and RM20,000 in costs.
The Penang chief minister had claimed a March 12, 2008 article headlined “Tiada Lagi DEB (No More NEP)” in the Malay-language newspaper which said he would abolish the New Economic Policy was inaccurate.
The DAP secretary-general said he had merely said his administration would be free from the “cronyism, corruption and systematic inefficiency” stemming from the policy.
The Bagan MP claimed damages as the article implied that he was an “irresponsible and unworthy” leader.
Although he had repeatedly clarified to the media on March 13 and 14 of the same year that he did not want to abolish the NEP, Utusan Malaysia continued to make the claim, Lim said.
The series of articles led to an Umno-led protest against Lim by about 1,000 people around the state government headquarters in Komtar after Friday prayers on March 14.
The ruling follows the December 2011 judgment by the Penang High Court that an Utusan article titled “Kebiadapan Guan Eng” had “maliciously defamed Lim, and made him and the DAP look as if they are anti-Malay and anti-Islam.”
In his statement of claim, the Air Putih assemblyman said the words used, among others, were meant to portray him as a racist who objected to anything related to Malays.
#1 by Loh on Friday, 22 June 2012 - 3:32 pm
///Setting up more Chinese independent schools and recognising its United Examination Certificate will create further obstacles to national unity Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said today.///–MalaysianInsider
Let us examine his logic. Why should recognition of any certificate as evidence of the holders’ attainment in studies affect national unity? Certificates serve only to tell people that the holders of such papers have been found to have achieved some stated standards. The government can choose to employ people with such certificates, or not to, as is done now where properly qualified persons from recognized universities are denied employment in the universities?
Chinese independent schools provided educational opportunities to those who either could not get into national schools of their choice or they are denied entry to reputable institutions. Without the independent schools students might have to roam the streets and end as snatch thieves. Chinese independent schools thus actively help the country to produce trained manpower. If trained manpower of Chinese nationals are obstacle to national unity, then Mahathir has to spell it out. UMNO government’s affirmation programmes are meant to help Malays to compete. Does Mahathir now says that it should stop Chinese from progressing so that Malays can catch up? And since Chinese independent schools help Chinese to progress, they are therefore obstacles to national unity?
#2 by monsterball on Friday, 22 June 2012 - 3:45 pm
LGE is doing the right thing and am glad he won.
He must admire Lee Kuan Yew very much.
However…in Malaysia you can accuse UMNO b leaders anything and they will not sue you.
We have very nice government leaders practicing 101% democratic rights….for the people and by the people.
Najib said we have the best democracy in the world.
Only Malaysians know the real reasons why they sound..look and behave like that.
LGE is proving beyond any doubt…he is a clean politician.
Utusan Melayu is owned by UMNO b party.
You can translate LGE wining a law suit against UMNO b.
#3 by Loh on Friday, 22 June 2012 - 3:46 pm
///Former Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad has again called on the public to vote BN, because the party had proven itself and are unlike authoritarian regimes in the Arab region.///–Malaysiakini
Mamakthir must have realized that it is the hatred against him that BN is losing non-Malays’ votes. Non-Malays used their head to decide that they should hate the policies of BN, and to help recollection, they simply hate the party. Yes, when they use their head, UMNO is gone.
Mamakthir may be telling Malays that they should think about keeping UMNO in power though they hate corruption and cronyism. But when Malays really use their head, they would realize that in a true democracy without racism protecting politicians in plundering the country, they will have a better life and income than it is now. Yes Malay should use their head not their heart in voting.
#4 by Loh on Friday, 22 June 2012 - 3:49 pm
It is only UMNO which can abolish NEP. Other government does not have to follow UMNO’s government policies.
#5 by sotong on Friday, 22 June 2012 - 4:41 pm
The only obstacle to unity is him and his party.
The ” divide and rule ” policy is important to hold on to power at all cost.
” Gangster leaders ” are terrified of the rule of law with independent judges.
#6 by sheriff singh on Friday, 22 June 2012 - 11:38 pm
What ? Still no punitive or exemplary damages? Or to require Utusan to correct and apologise in their offending newspaper?