MIRI: Bintulu MP Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing has filed a RM26mil suit against Sarawak National Party (SNAP) secretary-general Datuk Justine Jinggut for allegedly injuring his reputation through slanderous and defamatory statements in public. 

The suit was filed yesterday at the Miri High Court registrar office by the plaintiff lawyer Henry Ling Kuong Meng. 

Tiong is claiming RM10mil in general damages for slander and libel, RM8mil for aggravated damages and another RM8mil for exemplary damages. 

He is also seeking interests of 4% per annum on such damages or judgement debts till the date of judgement, and interests of 8% per annum on this amount from the date of judgement until the date of full payment. 

Tiong is also seeking costs and other relief as well as an injunction to restrain Jinggut, his agents or servants from speaking, publishing or causing to publish further words defamatory to him (Tiong). 

In his statement of claim, Tiong said that Jinggut had, on July 28, maliciously made defamatory statements against him in front of hundreds of party members. 

He said the statements were highlighted in several newspapers, which had wide circulation in Sarawak, Sabah and Brunei. 

Tiong said the statements, among others, implied that he (Tiong) was a liar, hypocrite, dishonest and a troublemaker in SNAP. 

These statements, Tiong said, had caused him to suffer injuries to his character, reputation and credibility, pointing out that he was a public figure holding a number of high posts. 

Tiong said he suffered mental distress, anguish and embarrassment due to Jinggut action. 

Jinggut, he claimed, had ill will and malice against him and wants to tarnish his image. 

Tiong said Jinggut was a prominent member of a faction in SNAP which was against him. 

In April this year, Tiong was sacked from SNAP by Jinggut and party president Datuk Amar James Wong for alleged indiscipline. 

The move caused a serious split in the party with a section of the members opposing the sacking.