Wong Tack to represent himself in RM1m Pahang floods suit

Former Bentong MP Wong Tack is set to represent himself in his RM1 million defamation suit filed against him by the Pahang state government.

In a statement on social media, he said that he had gone to the High Court in Temerloh this morning to submit a notice of his intent to represent himself in court.

"I was sued for RM1 million by the Pahang state government for my statements voicing concerns on the massive floods that hit Bentong in December 2021. 

"This defamation lawsuit was initiated by the BN-led state government last year and continues to be pursued under the current BN-Pakatan Harapan administration.

"As Bentong MP at that time, I was merely exercising my duty to speak out for the people of Bentong who were severely impacted by the devastating flood," Wong (above) said.

"I will continue to fight on and I strongly believe justice will prevail," he added.

The Pahang government is suing Wong over two social media posts linked to the floods that Wong had posted regarding flooding and logging activities in the state.

The state government demanded an unconditional apology and RM1 million in compensation.

The two posts concerned were uploaded to Wong’s official Facebook account on Dec 28, 2021, and Jan 31, 2022, respectively.

Wong, who won the Bentong seat in 2018 by defeating then-MCA president Liow Tiong Lai, was dropped by DAP in the 2022 general election, but he contested as an independent instead. 

However, he suffered a heavy defeat from Young Syefura Othman and lost his deposit. - Mkini