Suit settled after an apology

KUALA LUMPUR: A defamation suit filed by Raub Australian Gold Mining Sdn Bhd against an NGO chief has been withdrawn following an apology.

Wong Kin Hoong regretted any embarrassment caused due to his remarks, which were carried by an online news portal.

Raub Australian’s counsel Sunil Abraham read out the statement of apology in court before High Court judge Justice Yeoh Wee Siam yesterday.

According to the statement of claim, dated Sept 4, 2013, Raub Australian was operating a gold processing plant known as Carbon-In-Leach (CIL) on Mining Certificate 483, now known as Mining Lease 1669, in Bukit Koman, Raub.

Wong was chairman of the Pahang Raub Ban Cyanide in Gold Mining Action Committee then.

The firm said on Aug 2, 2012, an article titled “Raub folk to rally against poisonous gold” was published by Malaysiakini, which carried defamatory allegations.

It said Wong’s remarks meant that Raub Australian utilised unsafe business practices, which compromised the health and safety of people, animals and the environment.

It said his remarks also meant that the Raub Australian was irresponsible, unethical and did not employ safe mining operations in its CIL Plant. As such, it endangered the health of the people of Bukit Koman, it added.

Wong filed his defence on Oct 24 last year, claiming that the press conference referred to in the article was held to draw attention to the plight and concerns of the residents of Kampung Bukit Koman and its surrounding areas.