Guan Eng files appeal against quantum of damages in defamation suit

2026-03-06 - 09:24

Former finance minister Lim Guan Eng yesterday won a defamation suit against ex-Cabinet colleague Zuraida Kamaruddin and two others over allegations he rejected a housing project for former plantation workers in Selangor. (Bernama pic) KUALA LUMPUR: Former finance minister Lim Guan Eng has filed a notice of appeal against the quantum of damages the Shah Alam High Court awarded him in a defamation suit yesterday. Lim was awarded RM50,000 in global damages in a suit against former housing and local government minister Zuraida Kamaruddin and two others after the Shah Alam High Court ruled that statements made against him were defamatory. His counsel, SN Nair, said today the appeal is limited to the amount of damages awarded by Judicial Commissioner Shoba Menon. “Our client is grateful and appreciates the High Court’s decision in allowing his defamation claim, finding the defendants liable and awarding damages. “However, our client is dissatisfied with the quantum of damages awarded, namely RM50,000 in global damages and RM5,000 in costs, which he considers to be manifestly inadequate in the circumstances. “The appeal, therefore, seeks a reassessment of the damages to properly reflect the seriousness and proportionality of the defamatory statements and the harm caused to our client’s reputation,” he said. Lim filed the suit at the Shah Alam High Court on June 7, 2024, naming Zuraida, MalaysiaNow editor Abdar Rahman Koya, and MNow Media Sdn Bhd as the defendants. In his statement of claim, Lim said Zuraida made false statements about him pertaining to a housing project for former plantation staff at Bestari Jaya in Selangor.