DAP’s Kepong MP Lim Lip Eng launched a fundraising campaign today to pay a damage of RM2.25 million to e-commerce firm Monspace (M) Sdn Bhd and its founder Jessy Lai.
This comes after Lim lost the defamation suit against him yesterday. He risks being declared bankrupt and disqualified as a Member of Parliament if he cannot pay the fine on time.
Lim (above) said he has to fork out the amount within seven days of receiving the court order, which is expected to be sent to him next week.
Unlike criminal cases, Lim has to pay the damages before the decision on his appeal against this civil defamation suit is announced.
At a press conference held at his service centre in Kepong today, Lim explained that he had provided voluntary assistance to many victims of money games over the past few years.
And he was involved in this defamation case with Monspace and Jessy Lai after helping a group of help-seekers in 2016.
‘An unprecedentedly high fine’
"A damage of RM2.25 million is an unprecedentedly high fine, which many experienced lawyers find unbelievable. However, this will not stop me from standing up for justice. my own actions, but this amount is too large, and it is extremely difficult to raise RM2.25 million in cash in a short period of time.
"If I fail to pay it on time, I will face the fate of being declared bankrupt, and I will not be able to continue to speak up for the people and the country in Parliament.
"I earnestly request all Malaysians to stand with me for justice and help me overcome this difficult time by raising RM2.25 million for me within the next seven days," Lim said.
Asked what he would do if he failed to raise the required amount, Lim said that he might have to sell his house and car, but that would also take time to obtain the funds.
He promised that if he succeeded in his future appeal and could reclaim the compensation, he would donate all of it to charity and education organisations.
The bank account details can be viewed on Lim’s Facebook, here:
On May 24, 2017, Lim led 19 investors from China to protest at Monspace's headquarters in Bukit Jalil. The scene became heated as the protesters confronted Lai and Monspace’s employees.
In 2019, Monspace and Lai filed a defamation suit against Lim over an allegation that the company was involved in an investment scheme that failed to pay returns as promised to investors.
In that same year, a few of Monspace's founders were also charged in the criminal court over an alleged pyramid scheme and money laundering activities.
Yesterday, the High Court in Kuala Lumpur ordered Lim to pay a total of RM2 million in damages and RM250,000 in costs to Monspace and Lai.
Meanwhile, the Federal Territories (FT) DAP has launched a fundraising drive to support Lim's legal suit.
According to its chairperson Tan Kok Wai, Lim was merely carrying out his duty as an elected lawmaker to highlight an issue of public concern.
Tan said that although Lim's lawyers have filed an appeal against the court decision, Lim would still have to pay damages and legal costs to the plaintiffs, pending the outcome of the appeal.
"FT DAP stands in solidarity with Lim in this matter. We believe that as a courageous and conscientious elected representative, Lim carried out his duty to highlight an issue of public interest.
"As the amount of damages awarded is a huge sum, Federal Territory DAP would like to appeal to members of the public to show moral support by giving Lim a helping hand to settle the damages and cost," Tan said.
In the event that Lim is successful in his appeal to overturn the decision, all funds collected would be used for education and humanitarian aid for the poor and the needy, Tan added. - Mkini
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