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"If
you defame us, we're prepared to sue you, go to into the witness
box and be cross-examined. You can brief the best lawyers and
demolish us. If I'm involved, I go to the witness box. And you
can question me, not only on the particular defamatory issue, bit
all issues in my life."
-
Lee Kuan Yew
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Lees
object to SDP's and Francis Seow's affidavits
Singapore
Democrats
25 Feb 08
Mr
Lee Kuan Yew and Mr Lee Hsien Loong, have raised objections to
the SDP's Affidavit
Evidence in Chief
(AEIC) and former solicitor-general Mr Francis Seow's supporting
affidavit.
Citing a combination of reasons including the affidavits
being scandalous and irrelevant, the plaintiffs want to prevent
them being used by the defendants.
The affidavits were
filed as part of the defence in the hearing to assess the amounts
of money to be paid to the Lees in damages. The hearing is set to
be held in a couple of months from now.
The SDP, Dr Chee
Soon Juan, and Ms Chee Siok Chin have refused to bow down and
apologise to the rulers and, as a result, they stand to pay
enormous amount of damages to the father and son.
The
courts had earlier ruled in a summary judgment that the lawsuit
taken out by the Lees need not go to trial even though the
defendants had disputed their claims.
In the defence, Dr
Chee and Ms Chee pointed that there were disputes in fact and in
law.
The summary judgment meant that the defendants could
not cross-examine the Lees and call witnesses in an open trial.
Many legal experts have said that summary judgments are not
awarded in defamation cases because triable issues are at play.
Even then, the summary judgment is not sufficient for the
Lees who now want the courts to throw out the affidavits filed by
the defendants and Mr Francis Seow.
See
also:
Lees'
objections to the SDP's AEIC
Lees'
objections to Francis Seow's affidavit
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