KUALA LUMPUR: Former transport minister Tan Sri Ong Tee Keat has filed a RM12 million defamation suit against Social Care Foundation chairman Tan Sri Robert Phang Miow Sin for allegedly maliciously injuring his reputation repeatedly in the local Chinese media.

The former MCA president said he decided to go to court after Phang refused to retract his press statements which contained the alleged defamatory remarks and tender an apology.

Ong, who filed the suit at the Kuala Lumpur High Court on Tuesday, is claiming RM8 million in general damages and another RM4 million in aggravated damages.

The former Pandan MP said he is still a renowned Chinese language creative writer with numerous accolades.

In his statement of claim, Ong said Phang’s defamatory remarks in their natural and ordinary meanings gave the impression that he was an ungrateful and heartless man.

Ong said the statements carried in the media last year also meant that he had deserted his supporters and that he lacked principles. Furthermore, he said Phang’s statements painted a picture that he was hated by many people.

Ong’s lawyer Tan Foong Luen said the court papers would be served on Phang or his lawyer SN Nair for the defendant to enter an appearance and file his defence.

In October 2008, Ong was elected MCA president while Tan Sri Dr Chua Soi Lek was elected deputy president and this set off a tumultuous relationship between the two.

He remained in the post until he was ousted by Dr Chua in March 2010. — The Malaysian Insider

This article first appeared in The Edge Financial Daily, on December 4, 2014.