DAP’s Lim Guan Eng appeals for higher damages after winning a defamation suit, arguing the RM50,000 award is insufficient for the reputational harm caused.
KUALA LUMPUR: DAP advisor Lim Guan Eng has filed an appeal against the quantum of damages awarded in his successful defamation suit.
His counsel, Datuk Sankara Nair, confirmed the notice of appeal was filed at the Court of Appeal today.
The appeal is limited to challenging the amount of damages set by Judicial Commissioner Shoba Menon at the Shah Alam High Court.
“Our client is grateful and appreciates the High Court’s decision in allowing his defamation claim, finding the defendants liable and awarding damages,” Sankara Nair said in a statement.
“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 seeks a reassessment to properly reflect the seriousness of the defamatory statements.
It argues the damages should be proportional to the harm caused to Lim’s reputation.
Lim had filed the defamation suit on June 7, 2024, at the Shah Alam High Court.
The defendants were former Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Zuraida Kamaruddin, MalaysiaNow editor Muhammad Abd Ar-Rahman Koya, and MNow Media Sdn Bhd.
The High Court had ruled that statements made against Lim were defamatory.