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Penang Umno has filed a RM30mil defamation suit against Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng and three others over an alleged defamatory statement made by Lim that was published in Keadilan Daily, an online news portal, in July.

Penang Umno chairman Zainal Abidin Osman, 51, filed the suit, via Messrs Jahaberdeen & Co at the High Court registry at noon Monday.

Zainal Abidin named Lim (in his personal capacity), PKR, publisher Segmen Fleksibel Sdn Bhd and portal chief news editor Fazallah Pit as defendants in the suit.

In his statement of claim, Zainal Abidin said Lim had on July 3, 2011, issued a press statement accusing him of organising a demonstration at the Komtar building and on the Penang Bridge on July 1. The online news portal published the article on July 5.

In the article, he alleged Lim had accused Umno of being involved in the "violent demonstration".

Zainal Abidin claimed the article painted the party as being unethical and violent, and that it could not be trusted.

He also claimed the article implied that Umno was not fit to continue ruling the country as it supported public violence, which had badly affected its reputation, resulting in public hatred.

He is seeking general damages of RM30mil, with interest and cost. He is also seeking for an injunction to stop the defendants or their agents from repeating the offensive statements.

Lawyer Datuk Jahaberdeen Mohamed Yunoos represented Zainal Abidin.

Note: Zainal is from Batch 77, Yellow House