By Nancy Nais
KUCHING, Dec 4: Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) state secretary Vernon Kedit has yet to decide whether he will appeal against the High Court’s decision in a defamation suit brought against him by Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas.
Vernon was not in court this morning when High Court judge Ravinthran N Paramaguru delivered his judgement in awarding RM240,000 in aggravated damages and cost to Uggah.
Uggah had filed a suit against Vernon, who was then PKR Sarawak publicity chief, last year for allegedly calling him a “liar” and “traitor” following the amendment of the Sarawak Land Code, particularly on the mechanisms to convert native customary rights (NCR) land to Native Territorial Domain (NTD).
“My client is away in Kuala Lumpur assuming his duties as the Special Officer to the Works Minister Baru Bian. However, I have informed him (Vernon) on the judgement.
“I have sought for his instruction on whether to proceed with an appeal or not. Every high court decision is open to appeal. That decision has to be made by my client,” Vernon’s lawyer, Desmond Kho told reporters outside the court.
As at press time, Kho said Vernon had not made his decision yet. —DayakDaily
