[UPDATED] DAP figures sue PAS’ Siti Mastura over ‘Chin Peng-Kuan Yew’ speech

KUALA LUMPUR – Three DAP members have kept their word to sue PAS’ Kepala Batas MP Siti Mastura Muhammad for defamation over her “Chin Peng-Kuan Yew” speech made on November 4 in Kemaman.

The plaintiffs are DAP national chairman Lim Guan Eng and his father Lim Kit Siang, as well as Seputeh MP Teresa Kok.

The suit was filed via solicitors S.N. Nair & Partners at the George Town High Court in Penang on Monday.

The trio claimed that Siti Mastura’s speech, delivered during Majlis Himpunan Muslimat and Ameerah Pilihan Raya Kecil (PRK) Kemaman, has defamed and slandered them. 

“On November 6, the speech was published in the Tiktok application under account @kopitarik24, which got 17,200 views, 496 comments, and 178 shares as of November 27. And this post was republished by the defendant (Siti Mastura).

“While on November 8, online news portal Malaysiakini had also published a news report based on the speech.

“The speech is slanderous, libellous and false as well as disparaging the plaintiffs which carries innuendoes that the plaintiffs nor any other DAP members harbour a hidden intention to challenge the Federal Constitution, and to create a sense of dissatisfaction and disharmony within the society,” said the plaintiffs in their statements of claim, which were filed separately.

They added that Siti Mastura did not show remorse over her statement, following this, ruined their reputation and credibility to the point of no return.

“The defendant (Siti Mastura) is a politician, member of Parliament and has a doctorate degree which shows that she is not ignorant and therefore, should be careful in making statements as it will influence and impact the truth.

“The defamatory, slanderous and libellous words by the defendant is a serious allegation of criminal wrongdoing, which is also damaging.

“Despite several calls made to the defendant to retract her statements, she had stubbornly refused to do so and showed no remorse for her action,” they said.

So, they are seeking compensation for general, exemplary and severe damages as well as an injunction order to restrain Siti Mastura from further publishing statements against the DAP members.

They are also claiming 5% per annum on the judgement sum from the date of the accrual of action until the date of full settlement, costs, as well as other relief deemed fit by the court.

The court has also fixed December 12 for Guan Eng’s application case management, and December 19 for Kit Siang and Kok’s case management.

Siti Mastura had claimed that Guan Eng and Kit Siang were related to the former Singapore prime minister, the late Lee Kuan Yew, and the long-deceased former Malayan Communist Party leader Chin Peng.   

She also alleged that Guan Eng’s wife – Betty Chew – and Kok are cousins, as well as claiming Guan Eng and Kit Siang were related to other DAP figures, such as secretary-general and Transport Minister Anthony Loke, Local Government and Development Minister Nga Kor Ming and Beruas MP Datuk Ngeh Koo Ham. 

Siti Mastura had “renamed” Lee Kuan Yew to “Lim Kuan Yew” in her speech. The Kepala Batas MP, however, defended her speech when she appeared before Bukit Aman police headquarters to have her statement recorded.

She also refused to retract her allegations when pressed by other lawmakers in Dewan Rakyat on November 7

Kok had on November 16 said she had served Siti Mastura the letter of demand on November 10 and given the first-time MP three days to apologise and retract her statements.

On November 20, Kit Siang said he would sue Siti Mastura not just to clear his name but because she has become a “national disgrace” despite being an MP and holding a doctorate. – November 29, 2023