PAS MP Ordered To Pay RM825K To Kit Siang, Guan Eng & Kok After Losing Defamation Suit
The High Court judge criticised her for spreading baseless claims despite holding a PhD.
By Yap Wan Xiang — 05 Dec 2024, 06:16 PM
PAS member of parliament (MP) Dr Siti Mastura Muhammad has been ordered to pay RM825,000 in damages after losing a defamation suit filed by DAP leaders Lim Kit Siang, Lim Guan Eng, and Teresa Kok
In a virtual Zoom session yesterday, 4 December, the Penang High Court ruled that Siti Mastura's statements linking the DAP trio to the late Communist Party of Malaya leader Chin Peng were defamatory and unsupported by evidence.
Judge Datuk Quay Chew Soon said the Kepala Batas MP acted with malice and rejected her defences of fair comment and qualified privilege, reported the New Straits Times.
"I am satisfied that the impugned words, in their ordinary and natural meaning, were likely to expose the plaintiffs to public hatred and diminish their standing among rational members of society.
"It is noteworthy that the plaintiffs were associated with malicious activities, colluding with communist elements, thereby exposing them to hatred and provoking negative public opinion.
"This goes beyond normal political criticism and crosses the line by attacking the plaintiffs' character and values," said Quay.
Siti Mastura was ordered to pay RM300,000 in damages to Kit Siang, RM250,000 to Guan Eng, and RM200,000 to Kok
Additionally, the MP was also ordered to pay the trio RM25,000 each to cover their legal costs.
During the judgment, Quay criticised Siti Mastura for spreading baseless claims solely derived from the campaign book, despite her having a PhD and knowledge of research methodology.
On 4 November last year, the PAS MP made defamatory statements against the DAP leaders, alleging that Kit Siang was related to Chin Peng. She also claimed that the communist leader was a cousin of the late Singaporean prime minister, Lee Kuan Yew.
Additionally, she asserted that Kok was the cousin of Guan Eng's wife.
