Saturday March 9, 2013

Court sets March 27 for Wee and Phang’s case

KUALA LUMPUR: Deputy Education Minister Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong and Social Care Foundation chairman Tan Sri Robert Phang Miow Sin will go for mediation to resolve a defamation suit.

The two met High Court judge Justice Nik Hasmat Nik Mohamad in chambers yesterday.

Justice Nik Hasmat has fixed March 27 for further mediation after meeting them and their lawyers separately.

Phang’s lead counsel S.N. Nair and Dr Wee’s lead counsel Ben Chan confirmed the mediation bid to reporters yesterday.

In his suit filed on Feb 9, 2010, Dr Wee sued Phang for publication of defamatory statements in an English daily and its website.

He alleged the publication had implied that he had wrongfully used his influence to impair the investigation into the Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) scandal.

Among others, Dr Wee said the statements had implied that he was involved in corruption and abuse of power.

In his suit, Dr Wee is seeking to restrain Phang from calling, suggesting and/or implying that he was a bully, coward and liar.

In the statement of defence filed on March 8, 2010, Phang said the statement was fair comment on a matter of public interest.

Phang denied making defamatory statements and said that alternatively, he would rely on qualified privilege and justification.

News

Saturday March 9, 2013

Court sets March 27 for Wee and Phang’s case