Former MCA chief sues Robert Phang

Ong Tee Keat filed a RM12 million defamation suit against Phang on Tuesday at the Kuala Lumpur High Court.

KUALA LUMPUR: Former MCA President Ong Tee Keat explained in a statement on Wednesday that he decided to take Social Care Foundation chairman Robert Phang Miow Sin to Court after the latter failed on several counts following a letter of demand viz. retract press statements containing defamatory remarks against him, promise not to repeat them, tender an apology and offer suitable compensation.

Phang, added Ong, maliciously injured his reputation repeatedly in the local Chinese media.

Ong, also a former Pandan MP, said he was well known in the country and abroad as a renowned Chinese language creative writer with numerous accolades.

Ong filed a RM12 million defamation suit against Phang on Tuesday at the Kuala Lumpur High Court. He is claiming RM8 million in general damages and RM4 million in aggravated damages.

The former MCA chief, in his statement of claim, said that Phang’s defamatory remarks in their natural and ordinary meanings gave the impression that he was ungrateful and a heartless man.

The statements, carried in the media last year, also meant that he had deserted his supporters and that he lacked principles, he added. “Furthermore, Phang’s statements painted a picture that he was hated by many people.”

Lawyer Tan Foong Luen, who is representing Ong, said the court documents would be served on either Phang or his lawyer S.N. Nair for the defendant to enter appearance and file statement of defence.

Nair, when contacted, said that he had yet to receive the papers.

Ong was elected MCA president in October 2008 and Chua Soi Lek his deputy. The two men could never get along and in March 2010, Chua ousted his party chief.

Ong failed in a comeback bid last year which was won by Liow Tiong Lai, who was Chua’s rebellious deputy.

Ong only collected 160 votes compared with the 1,186 picked up by Liow while another candidate, Gan Ping Sieu, managed a respectable 1,000 votes.