PAS’s Siti Mastura Muhammad Pays RM830,034.75 to DAP Leaders’ Lawyers to Delay Defamation Suit Payment
Payment Made to Stave Off Enforcement of Judgment
PAS’s Siti Mastura Muhammad has made a payment of RM830,034.75 to the lawyers of three DAP leaders to stave off the enforcement of a judgment they obtained against her pending an appeal. The payment was made to the account of SN Nair & Partners, the law firm that represented DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang, former finance minister Lim Guan Eng, and Seputeh MP Teresa Kok in their defamation suit against the Kepala Batas MP.
Payment Condition
The payment was revealed by Siti Mastura’s lawyer Yusfarizal Yusoff in the High Court when her application to stay the judgment pending an appeal to the Court of Appeal came up before Justice Quay Chew Soon in chambers. "My client has already made payment to the account of Nair’s law firm on the condition that the money will be kept in the solicitors’ account pending the disposal of the appeal in the Court of Appeal," Yusfarizal said. "This is the arrangement agreed on by both parties," he added.
Background of the Case
Last year, the court ordered Siti Mastura to pay RM300,000 to Kit Siang, RM250,000 to Guan Eng, RM200,000 to Kok, and RM25,000 in legal costs to each. The High Court had found Siti Mastura guilty of defamation for linking the three leaders to the late Communist Party of Malaya leader Chin Peng in her election speeches. The court ruled that her statements were baseless and damaging to the leaders’ reputations.
Seeking a Stay of Execution
Siti Mastura had sought a stay of execution to delay the payment. Her lawyer Yusfarizal said that case management for the appeal would be held on March 13.
Conclusion
In a move to delay the payment of the judgment, Siti Mastura has made a payment of RM830,034.75 to the lawyers of three DAP leaders. This payment is conditional upon the outcome of the appeal in the Court of Appeal. The case is a significant one, with implications for freedom of speech and the conduct of political leaders.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Who is Siti Mastura Muhammad?
- Siti Mastura Muhammad is a Kepala Batas MP and a member of the Pas party.
- Who are the DAP leaders involved in the defamation suit?
- The three DAP leaders are Lim Kit Siang, Lim Guan Eng, and Teresa Kok.
- What is the nature of the defamation suit?
- The suit alleges that Siti Mastura’s statements linking the three leaders to the late Communist Party of Malaya leader Chin Peng were baseless and damaging to their reputations.
- What is the outcome of the court’s decision?
- The court found Siti Mastura guilty of defamation and ordered her to pay RM300,000 to Kit Siang, RM250,000 to Guan Eng, RM200,000 to Kok, and RM25,000 in legal costs to each.
- What is the next step in the case?
- The case will proceed to the Court of Appeal, with a hearing scheduled on March 13.