GERAKAN’S defamation suit against Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng will go on trial in October.

Penang High Court judge Rozilah Yup today fixed the hearing dates from October 22 to 26.

Gerakan’s lawyer, Baljit Singh, said the plaintiff would call up five witnesses.

“Those confirmed are former chief minister Dr Koh Tsu Koon, Gerakan secretary-general Liang Teck Meng and former Penang government exco Teng Chang Yeow, who is now state Barisan Nasional and Gerakan chairman.

“The defence plans to call five witnesses, including Lim.”

Gerakan filed the suit through Liang in July last year.

The party, which headed the Penang government until it lost in the 2008 general election, claims that Lim had defamed the former BN state government.

In the statement of claim, Liang said Lim had defamed the former Gerakan-led state government and then chief minister Dr Koh by alleging that 380.4ha of reclaimed land in Tg Pinang, Tg Tokong, was sold at RM1 per sq ft, with 10% of the land to be given to the state government.

Liang said the chief minister’s remarks were published on a news portal on March 17, 2013.

He also named other articles and media statements that reportedly carried Lim’s comments on the matter.

The Gerakan suit is only one of several high-profile cases that Lim is facing this year.

The DAP secretary-general and Pakatan Harapan deputy president is scheduled to go on trial later this month for a graft case in relation to his Jalan Pinhorn bungalow purchase.

Trial is set to begin on March 26, and will go on until May. – March 5, 2018.