GEORGE TOWN: The Penang High Court today dismissed a defamation suit filed by Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng and his deputy P Ramasamy against the New Straits Times Press (M) Berhad and its journalist over an online article published last year.
Both plaintiffs were ordered to pay RM100,000 in legal costs to both defendants, the New Straits Times (NST) and its journalist Predeep Nambiar.
Judicial Commissioner Datuk Azmi Ariffin said the report which appeared on the NST website on Dec 4 titled "Indian-interest group claims thugs interrupted meeting" is not defamatory or malicious.
"I have considered the submissions from the plaintiffs' and defendants' counsels and it is my considered opinion that the impugned article is not defamatory of the plaintiffs per se as well as in the circumstances of this case," Azmi said in his verdict.
In their joint statement of claim, Lim and Ramasamy alleged that Predeep and NST had intentionally, incorrectly and maliciously caused the article to be written, printed and published.
The plaintiffs were seeking general damages, aggravated damages, exemplary damages and costs, together with an apology to be published, as well as a withdrawal of the article.
Predeep had refuted the allegations that he had malicious intentions against Lim and Ramasamy and explained that he only reported what was said in the press conference and did not add anything beyond.
"I feel vindicated. I knew I was right and the decision shows that I only did my job as a journalist," he said outside the courtroom.
NST and Predeep were represented by Leong Wai Hong while Datuk N. Mureli appeared for the plaintiffs.