‘Black hole’ defamation ruling: Appeals court gives judicial commission one month to deliver written grounds of judgment

AI Summary

Sarawak DAP chairman Chong Chieng Jen's appeal against a defamation ruling over his 2013 "black hole" allegations concerning RM11 billion of state funds was adjourned. The Court of Appeal awaits the written grounds of judgment from the judicial commissioner, who ruled in favor of the Sarawak government in 2022, awarding RM150,000 in damages and RM50,000 in legal costs. Chong's lawyer highlighted the delay of 49 months since the trial concluded. The court instructed the commissioner to provide the written grounds within a month.