Suit against Gerakan leader transferred to High Court

KUALA LUMPUR: The High Court here yesterday allowed an application by acting Penang Gerakan Youth leader Jason Loo Jieh Sheng to transfer a defamation suit filed against him by Consortium Zenith BUCG Sdn Bhd in connection with the proposed undersea tunnel and three highways to the Penang High Court.

Judicial Commissioner Rohani Ismail made the decision in chambers.

Lawyer Ong Siang Liang, representing Loo, when met by reporters, said Loo applied to transfer the case to the Penang High Court as he (Loo) was residing in Penang and the witnesses to be called to testify were also from Penang.

Consortium Zenith, which was entrusted with building the tunnel, filed the suit on Aug 8, 2016 claiming that Loo had, on June 23, 2016, uttered defamatory words against the company, which were later published in the Malaysiakini news portal on the same day.

The consortium alleged that Loo’s statement also questioned the credibility of its work, besides claiming it was unreliable, dishonest, deceitful and engaged in corrupt activities.

The consortium, which claimed its reputation was tarnished by the statements, is seeking general, exemplary and aggravated damages, as well as interest, costs and other relief deemed fit by the court.

It is also seeking an injunction to prevent Loo or his employees from republishing such defamatory words, besides demanding an apology from the defendant.

The consortium, in its statement of claim, said on Oct 6, 2013 the company was awarded a contract by the Penang state government to conduct a feasibility study and detailed design of the undersea tunnel project and three highways in the state.

The highways are the 12km twin roads from Jalan Tanjung Bungah to Teluk Bahang, a 4.6km bypass from Air Itam to Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Highway, and a 4.2km diversion from Gurney Drive to Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Highway.

Loo in his statement of defence, denied that he had ever mentioned the consortium’’s name when making the statement to journalists on June 23.

On the contrary, he said, he only referred to the representatives or officials of the Penang state government.

Loo, who had filed a counterclaim against the suit, claimed the consortium was not giving a true picture of the facts and content, and confusing all parties by taking legal action against him indiscriminately. Bernama