By Nancy Nais
KUCHING, Sept 11: Sarawak Democratic Action Party (DAP) chairman Chong Chien Jen has withdrawn and apologised to state legal counsel Datuk Seri JC Fong in court today over a defamatory statement he made in 2017.
One of Chong’s legal council Michael Kong said his client has submitted that, “it was never my intention to defame Fong or to cause him any distress or hurt or damage his reputation. I, for the sake of an amicable settlement out of court and the efforts of our mutual friends, I wish to unreservedly withdraw my statement and express my apologies for causing him harm and embarrassment.”
In light of the amicable settlement out of court, Kong said Chong’s submission includes, “as we are members of the Sarawak Bar and to appreciate mutual friends’ great effort in reaching this settlement, my father, Chong Siew Chiang, offers to donate a sum of RM 10,000.00 to St. Joseph Private School.”
Sessions Court judge Marutin Pagan accepted the submission.
Kong added that Chong and Fong were not present in court today.
“Chong was represented by his father and myself, while Fong was represented by Sim Hui Chuan, William Yeo and Lim Lip Sze.”
In Aug 2017, Chong, who is also Stampin MP and Kota Sentosa assemblyman had made offending remarks on Fong with regards to Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) and the Inter-Governmental Committee (IGC) Report during a court proceeding.
Fong then filed a legal suit against Chong on December 2017.
When contacted, Fong said, “I accepted his apology. Since a number of friends had intervene to make sure that the mater is settled amicably, I have agreed to move on because Chong was willing to apologise and make donation to St Jo Private School of which I am a member on the management board.”—DayakDaily
