Businessman fails in defamation bid over police reports alleging armed threat

Businessman Lim Kok Han's attempt to sue over two police reports alleging an armed threat has failed, as the Court of Appeal unanimously dismissed his appeal. The High Court had previously struck out his defamation suit. The reports, lodged by Tai Boon Wee on June 14 and 15, 2023, claimed Lim had threatened him with a pistol during a confrontation.

Lim argued the reports were defamatory, but the Court found he could not prove the reports were published or circulated by Tai. The judges did not need to rule on other defenses, such as justification or absolute privilege, as Lim had not established publication. The case is part of a broader corporate dispute between the two men.