Papagomo fails to stay RM280,000 defamation payout to Lim Guan Eng, son

The High Court in Kuala Lumpur dismissed a request by Papagomo, also known as Wan Muhammad Azri Wan Deris, to halt the enforcement of a judgment requiring him to pay RM280,000 in damages to former Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng and his son, Clint Lim. Judge Roslan Mat Nor ruled that the defendant had not presented any compelling reasons to postpone the payment, which was due following an appeal filed on June 2.

The defendant argued that he would prevail in his appeal and that paying the judgment now would be pointless, as well as risking bankruptcy proceedings. However, the court dismissed these claims and ordered Papagomo to pay RM5,000 in court costs. In May 19, the court had found Papagomo liable for defamation and ordered him to pay RM280,000 in damages to Lim Guan Eng and Clint Lim over posts on social media alleging that Clint Lim was detained in Singapore for carrying undeclared cash.

The plaintiffs had filed the suit on April 19, 2020, accusing Papagomo of posting defamatory statements on his Facebook page, claiming that Clint Lim was detained at Changi Airport on February 29, 2020, and that Lim Guan Eng had traveled to Singapore after the incident. The plaintiffs sought global damages of RM200,000 and costs of RM30,000 from Lim Guan Eng, as well as RM80,000 in damages and RM10,000 in costs from Clint Lim.

The case was argued by lawyer Simon Murali representing the plaintiffs and lawyer Fazilah Jaafar representing Papagomo.