KUALA LUMPUR: The defamation suit brought against acting Penang Gerakan Youth chief Jason Loo Jieh Sheng over his statement on the Penang undersea tunnel project and three highways will be heard at the state's High Court.
The move was made after judicial commissioner Rohani Ismail allowed Loo's application for the matter to be transferred from the High Court here to the Penang High Court.
His counsel, Ong Siang Liang when met after the proceedings said the case was transferred on grounds that his client is a Penang resident and so are the witnesses.
"Today is fixed for the application for the defendant (Loo) to transfer the matter on grounds that the defendant is a resident in Penang and the witnesses are also from the state," he said.
Ong added that the judge also allowed the application on grounds that the forum of convenience should be in Penang.
The court did not make any order as to cost.
Loo, who is being sued by Consortium Zenith BUCG (CZBUCG) Sdn Bhd over his statement, was present at the proceedings in chambers today.
The consortium had filed the suit on Aug 8, last year claiming that Loo had uttered defamatory words to journalists on June 23, the same year, which were later published in the Malaysiakini news portal on the same day.
The consortium alleged that Loo’s statement also questioned the credibility of its work besides claiming it was unreliable, dishonest, deceitful and engaged in corrupt activities.
The consortium, which claimed its reputation was tarnished by the statements, is seeking general damages, exemplary damages, aggravated damages, interest, costs and other relief deemed fit by the court.
It is also seeking an injunction to prevent Loo or his employees from republishing such defamatory words, besides demanding an apology from the defendant.
CZBUCG, in its statement of claim, said on Oct 6, 2013 the company was awarded a contract by the Penang state government to conduct a feasibility study and detailed design of the undersea tunnel project and three main roads in the state.
However, Loo in his statement of defence, denied that he had ever mentioned the consortium’s name when making the statement to journalists on June 23. On the contrary, he said, he only referred to the representatives or officials of the Penang state government.