Guang Ming Reporter Withdraws Defamation Suit Against Guan Eng

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A reporter from Guang Ming Daily has withdrawn his defamation suit against Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng at the Penang High Court today

Judge Rosilah Yob agreed to the withdrawal by Chinese daily reporter Ong Beng Siang (above) and awarded Lim costs to the tune of RM40,000
Ong's counsel Amareson K Velu said: "My client has decided not to pursue the case.”Ong, 42, had sent Lim a letter of demand on March 6, 2017, but since there was no reply from Lim, who was then serving as Penang chief minister, a suit was filed at the High Court on March 17
Ong, who has worked as a reporter for 25 years, claimed that he had been accused of being "unethical, unprofessional and out to topple the Penang government."The claims were based on Lim's Facebook post on Jan 22, 2017 where he remarked that there were reporters who wished to tarnish the reputation of the Penang government. This had followed a report on a decision by SJK (C) Chung Hwa 3 not to build another branch of the school
Ong originally filed the suit seeking apology, aggravated and exemplary damages from Lim for his remarks.
In his statement of claim, he alleged that the remarks made him out to be "unprofessional, unethical in his duties, immoral, insincere, untrustworthy, and unprincipled"
"Although this decision seems to be sudden, it was made after some consideration,” said Ong, who told the Oriental Daily he had been under a lot of pressure and distress for the past year
"I hope with this, I can unburden myself from all the worries caused by the case and live a good life. I realise this will only make me more mature in my personal life and my future work," he was quoted as saying. - Mkini

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