Kuching: A recent defamation ruling should not be used to suggest that the Opposition has lost its credibility or constitutional responsibility to hold the government accountable, according to DAPSY Stampin Chief Sylvester Lim, who said legal liability and democratic oversight are fundamentally different principles.
Responding to the Court of Appeal’s decision in the “Black Hole” case, Lim said respecting the judiciary does not diminish the Opposition’s duty to scrutinise government policies, question public spending and demand transparency.
“We respect the court’s judgment and the judicial process. However, a defamation ruling does not invalidate the Opposition’s constitutional role in holding the government accountable,” he said in a statement.
Lim stressed that the court had ruled only on whether a specific statement was defamatory and did not determine that all criticism of the government is false or that the government is beyond question.
He said portraying one defamation case as proof that the Opposition has failed in its oversight role confuses legal liability with democratic accountability.
“In any healthy democracy, the Opposition has a duty to scrutinise public spending, question government policies, demand transparency and hold those in power accountable. These responsibilities are essential safeguards of good governance,” he said.
Lim also rejected the view that Opposition lawmakers already have sufficient means to oversee the government simply because they sit in the legislature, noting that they do not have the same access to official information, documents or investigative powers as the executive.
He said many matters of public concern only come to light through persistent parliamentary questions, debates, media engagement and sustained public scrutiny.
While acknowledging that defamation laws play an important role in protecting reputations, Lim cautioned against using a single court case to invalidate years of legitimate oversight or discourage future scrutiny conducted in good faith.
He added that the public is ultimately more concerned with whether public services improve, flooding and water supply problems are resolved, and public funds are managed responsibly.
Lim reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring that the Opposition’s oversight remains responsible, evidence-based and conducted with respect for the rule of law, saying both accountability and judicial independence are essential pillars of a healthy democracy.
