Kuching: The Court of Appeal ordered the High Court to provide the grounds of judgment within one month from 12 August 2025 in a defamation suit filed by the Sarawak State Government against DAP Sarawak chairman Chong Chieng Jen.
Chong said that his appeal was heard before the Court of Appeal, but the Court of Appeal could not proceed with the hearing to decide the appeal because there were no grounds for judgment.
“It has been four years after the conclusion of the trial, and yet there are still no grounds of Judgment from the trial judge.
“On 30 August 2022, the High Court judge ruled in favour of the State Government of Sarawak and awarded RM150,000 damages and costs of RM50,000. However, the Judge did not provide the grounds of judgment (reasonings of his decision in favour of the State Government),” he said a statement.
The State Government of Sarawak sued Chong for defamation on his allegation of “Black Hole” in the Government’s administration involving the allocation of approximately RM11 billion of public funds.
The suit was first filed in the High Court of Kuching in 2013. The trial of the case started on 7 January 2021, and after 26 days of trial in the High Court, the trial concluded on 5 July 2021.
Chong pointed out that, as directed by the Court of Appeal, his lawyers will also be writing to the Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak on the matter.
“I hope to receive the grounds of judgment soon so that we can proceed with my appeal accordingly.
“Over the years, we have written five times to the High Court to request for the grounds of Judgment, but all to no avail,” he said.
