GEORGE TOWN: The High Court here today dismissed a defamation suit brought by Baling Member of Parliament Datuk Seri Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim against former Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng over the Penang undersea tunnel project.

Abdul Azeez was also asked to pay RM50,000 in cost to Lim.

The decision was read by deputy registrar L. Umma Devi on behalf of judge Datuk Rosilah Yop in chambers.

Speaking to newsmen later, Lim's lawyer, Datuk N. Mureli said he had been informed that the suit had been dismissed on the grounds that Abdul Azeez had failed to prove his case. 

"I will have to write in to obtain the full grounds of judgment," he said.

Abdul Azeez filed a defamation suit against Lim in 2018, alleging that the former Finance Minister had issued defamatory statements during a press conference in Penang on Feb 28, 2018, when he was still the Penang Chief Minister.

In his suit, Abdul Azeez claimed that Lim had linked him with a payment of RM3 million in consultation fees by the developer of the project.

Abdul Azeez had sought general and exemplary damages and other relief deemed fit by the court.

https://www.nst.com.my/news/crime-courts/2020/12/648619/high-court-dismisses-azeezs-defamation-suit-against-guan-eng