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SINGAPORE: Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew have said they are ready for a court hearing to determine damages claimed by them against the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) and its leaders Chee Soon Juan and Chee Siok Chin.
In a statement issued on Thursday evening, both leaders said they are ready to be cross-examined in open court on Monday.
Both leaders had sued the SDP and its leaders for an article, headlined "Government's role in the NKF scandal", published in the party's publication "Demokrat" in April 2006.
The High Court found the article defamed PM Lee and MM Lee and both leaders successfully obtained a summary judgement against SDP chief Dr Chee Soon Juan, his sister Chee Siok Chin and the party.
In their statement on Thursday, both leaders said it appeared Dr Chee was once again trying to avoid having to cross-examine the Prime Minister and Minister Mentor.
Hearing resumed in Chambers on Thursday to strike out statements of evidence filed by Dr Chee.
Senior Counsel Davider Singh, who is acting for the leaders, said Dr Chee was attempting to drag out proceedings to avoid next week's hearing to assess the amount of damages. The opposition politician, he said, was employing delay tactics.
Giving a detailed account of these tactics, Minister Mentor Lee's press secretary noted the assessment of damages hearing was originally scheduled from May 12-14.
Both leaders had set aside time to attend and be cross-examined, but Dr Chee tried his best to avoid the hearing. Instead, he had asked Justice Belinda Ang to excuse herself.
Dr Chee knew that if the Judge did so, the assessment of damages hearing would have to be postponed.
When this attempt failed, he asked for an adjournment to consider the two leaders' application to strike out the affidavits filed by the Chees. The assessment of damages hearing was then re-scheduled to May 26-28.
Furthermore, two days (May 22 and 23) were set aside to hear the Striking-Out Applications so as to complete all preliminary matters before the main hearing starts. But Dr Chee went on to make all sorts of last-minute applications.
The hearing in Chambers on the Striking-out Applications will continue on Friday afternoon before Justice Belinda Ang. - CNA/ir
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