THE Court of Appeal has ruled that Kepong Member of Parliament Lim Lip Eng must pay RM75,000 in damages to MonSpace (M) Sdn Bhd and its founder Datuk Seri Jessy Lai Cha Suang for defamation, a marked reduction from the RM2 million sum previously awarded by the High Court.
A three-judge panel, comprising Datuk Ahmad Zaidi Ibrahim, Datuk Collin Lawrence Sequerah and Datuk Faizah Jamaludin, delivered the unanimous decision earlier today, while maintaining the original finding of defamation.
Bernama reported today that Justice Sequerah, who delivered the judgment, stated that although the Kuala Lumpur High Court was correct in its finding that Lim had defamed the plaintiffs, the RM2 million awarded in damages was “excessive” and warranted downward revision.
The court also reduced the costs payable by Lim from RM250,000 to RM50,000.
“There is no reason to interfere with the High Court’s decision in allowing the plaintiffs’ suit,” said Justice Sequerah. “However, the amount of damages must be proportionate to the facts of the case.”
The defamation case centres on comments made by Lim in 2017 and 2018, where he alleged that Lai was operating an illegal business and had defrauded Chinese investors. These statements were published in both English and Chinese media outlets.
In her 2019 lawsuit, Lai claimed that Lim’s remarks implied she was dishonest and unethical, and that he had made the statements during visits to her office with individuals claiming to be MonSpace investors, followed by police reports filed against her.
She also alleged that Lim’s actions had placed pressure on government bodies including the Royal Malaysian Police, Bank Negara Malaysia, and the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs to act against her.
The Court of Appeal found that Lim had made serious accusations — including an allegation that Lai bribed enforcement officers — without verifying the claims or seeking clarification from Lai or MonSpace.
“The defendant admitted he did not consult the plaintiffs prior to making the statements, nor did he produce any supporting documents to substantiate the allegations,” said Justice Sequerah. “It is a serious allegation that has harmed the plaintiffs’ reputation.”
The plaintiffs were represented by counsels Ivanpal Singh Grewal and Dhanesh Subramaniam Nair, while Lim was represented by Datuk Sankara Nair.
Lim had appealed the original High Court decision on the same day it was handed down, 16 March 2023. - September 29, 2025
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