The High Court today ordered Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, the chairman of the Malaysian United Indigenous Party (Bersatu), who was found guilty of defaming Democratic Action Party chairman Lim Guan Eng, to pay part of the compensation amounting to RM400,000 to Lim on or before December 31.
Lim Guan Eng's lawyer, Guo Yixiong, stated that Judge Rozima Vawa also instructed Muhyiddin to pay the remaining RM1,002,000 compensation by January 27 of next year.
“The court approved a conditional stay of execution for Muhyiddin on the payment of compensation, and he must pay RM5,000 in court costs. He is ordered to pay RM400,000 by December 31, with the remaining RM1,002,000 due by January 27, 2025.”
He said this to reporters after the in-camera hearing. Muhyiddin's lawyer Tan Dan confirmed the matter.
Since Muhyiddin did not comply with the High Court ruling on November 8 to pay RM1,402,000 in compensation (which includes the court cost of RM50,000 and an assessment fee of RM2,000), Lim Guan Eng filed a bankruptcy application against him in court on December 9.
Subsequently, Muhyiddin applied for a stay of execution of the High Court ruling, citing that the amount of RM1.4 million was substantial and he needed time to raise the money. He expressed willingness to place 50% of the compensation in a fixed deposit account, to be held in trust by Lim Guan Eng's legal representatives until his appeal in the Court of Appeal is heard.
On November 8, the High Court ruled that Muhyiddin must pay Lim Guan Eng RM1.35 million in damages and RM5,000 in court costs for defaming him regarding the alleged revocation of Albukhary Foundation’s tax-exempt status during his tenure as the Finance Minister.