The High Court dismissed the businessman’s defamation appeal and awarded damages to Zhang Zhijian and others.

Ipoh, 20 August 2025 – Lily Chua & Associates is proud to announce a significant legal victory in the Ipoh High Court. Our Partner, Mr. Tseng Seng Guan, successfully represented the former Chief Editor of Kwang Wah Daily in a defamation appeal, bringing the matter to a decisive conclusion.

The dispute stemmed from a 2018 news concerning a money game scheme. A businessman claimed that the news was defamatory and initiated action against the former YB Cheong Chee Khing, former Chief Editor and the newspaper. The Sessions Court had earlier dismissed the suit in 2023 on the basis that the article did not, either directly or indirectly, identify the Plaintiff. Dissatisfied, the Plaintiff brought the matter on appeal.

The High Court has now upheld the Sessions Court’s decision dismissing the appeal in its entirety. The Court further ordered the Plaintiff to pay RM15,000 costs. This outcome underscores the judiciary’s recognition that responsible reporting on issues of public concern is not defamatory when individuals are not specifically identified or implicated.

This decision not only clears the name of our client but also reaffirms the crucial balance between protecting reputations and preserving press freedom as well as freedom of speech. Lily Chua & Associates is honoured to have safeguarded these principles through effective advocacy, and we remain committed to upholding justice and the rule of law in all our work.