Liew says vindicated by court verdict
Former DCM Datuk Christina Liew said she has been vindicated by the High Court’s verdict and award of damages in her defamation suit against a planter over his alleged malicious statement against her in a viral video.
KOTA KINABALU: Former Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Christina Liew said she has been vindicated by the High Court's verdict and award of damages in her defamation suit against a planter over his alleged malicious statement against her in a viral video a few days prior to the 14th General Election in 2018.
She said it was a matter of vindication from the baseless allegations levelled against her, and that people with bad motives have abused the social media platforms for their own gain.
Liew, who is also Tawau Member of Parliament and Api Api Assemblywoman, lamented that there have been so many malicious speculations arising from the false allegation that she had a judgment sum of RM500 million awarded against her.
This unfounded allegation spread via the internet and multimedia, she said, was like a millstone around her neck.
She hoped the High Court's ruling would deter people from fabricating fallacious, hurtful and damaging narratives in the future.
"I am thankful that justice has prevailed and I have been vindicated. It has been a tough road, not being able to speak of this matter openly as it was pending in court.
"After consulting with my family and team of lawyers, it was decided that I would hold my silence until this case has been concluded.
"I am very glad that the High Court's decision strongly highlights the fact that words have consequences. There must always be accountability in what we say and we should be mature enough to leave dirty politics behind.
"I want to thank my family, lawyers and my supporters who have stood by me during this trying time," Liew said in a statement, here, Wednesday.
On Tuesday (Jan 26), High Court Judicial Commissioner Leonard David Shim ordered damages of RM100,000 to be paid to Liew by the defendant, Leksun Injil.
An interest on the damages at the rate of five per cent per annum from the date of commencement of the action to the date of judgement and thereafter to the date of realisation, was also ordered.
Leksun was also ordered to pay RM50,000 in costs to the plaintiff subject to payment of allocatur fee.
The court also allowed an injunction (sought by Liew) restraining the defendant, whether by himself, his servants or agents or otherwise, from publishing or causing to be published or contributing to the publication of the defamatory video of the plaintiff.
Liew was represented by counsel Datuk Alex Decena and Jordan Kong, while Leksun was represented by counsel Chong Kian Ming.