KUALA LUMPUR – The Star and one of its editors are facing a defamation suit that could see them forking out at least RM10 million should they lose.
The case was filed on April 8 by Datuk Goh Chee Keong and Datuk V. Subramaniam, the secretary-general and treasurer of the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM), respectively.
The dispute revolves around an article written by The Star editor Rajes Paul on February 27, titled “Do we need SOP to prevent another kind of virus from weakening Malaysian sport?”
The piece, which touches on questionable spending in the sports arena during the economic crisis caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, questioned why BAM sold one of its properties in Taman Maluri, Cheras, for RM52 million.
“Why the urgency? Wouldn’t they have made more money if they had waited for the economic situation to get better?” said the article.
It asked whether BAM is in financial trouble or if elections are coming up, with the write-up also suggesting that the association misused its powers, lacks transparency, and sold the said land without the consideration of stakeholders, among other things.
Taking it further, the editor asked if BAM will be transparent in its spending.
“We hope those who have been injected with millions of ringgit to boost Malaysian sports will use the money wisely and with integrity,” said the article.
Goh and Subramaniam, however, contend that the statements in the article are untrue.
In addition to the RM10 million, the duo are seeking an injunction against both defendants from making further defamatory statements on BAM, as well as a public retraction of the article and an apology. – The Vibes, May 15, 2021
