By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Jan 23: The long-running legal battle between the Sarawak government and Democratic Action Party (DAP) Sarawak chairman Chong Chieng Jen over the “Black hole” remark is set to be heard in the Court of Appeal in Kuching on January 27, 2026.
The case stems from a 2013 pamphlet titled “Budget Black Hole”, in which Chong questioned the Sarawak government’s RM11.37 billion trust fund, alleging a lack of transparency over the approved agencies receiving the money.
The State government then sued Chong for defamation, and in August 2022, the Kuching High Court ruled in the government’s favor, ordering Chong to pay RM150,000 in damages and RM50,000 in costs.
However, no grounds of judgment were provided at the time, leaving the case in limbo.
On Aug 12, 2025, the Court of Appeal ordered then-Judicial Commissioner Alexander Siew How Wai (now a High Court judge) to provide the grounds within a month.
DAP Sarawak Publicity, in a statement today, noted that Chong had received the grounds of judgment on Sept 19, 2025.
“With the grounds of judgment being produced, finally the hearing of the appeal of the Black Hole case is set in motion.
“The Court of Appeal fixed Jan 27, 2026 to hear the appeal,” the statement said.
Chong will be represented by Chong Siew Chiang, Michael Kong Feng Nian, Brenda Chong, Sharon Lo and Chong Hong Hien. – DayakDaily
