See also:
Top Singapore officials sue Opposition leader
Lee dynasty tightens its grip on Singapore
             

AN OPPOSITION leader said Wednesday (Nov 28) he was contesting damage claims filed by Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong and Senior Minister Lee Kuan Yew with the High Court.

Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) leader Chee Soon Juan told AFP that he will have 14 days to prepare his defence after filing his papers with the court on Monday, and was in consultation with his legal counsel.

Goh and Lee are claiming aggravated damages from Chee, who alleged during the campaign for the November 3 election that they lent S$17 billion (US$10 billion) to ousted Indonesian leader Suharto.

Goh said the money was never disbursed to Indonesia as the loan, offered during the 1997-98 Asian financial crisis, had conditions attached and was not taken up by Suharto, who was overthrown in May 1998.

Chee, who ran unsuccessfully for a parliamentary seat in the polls, was forced to admit he made a false accusation and apologised publicly during the campaign for defaming the two senior leaders.

Under Singapore law the courts will set the amount of damages. Legal sources said that on the basis of past court judgements, Chee may have to pay six-digit damages to the two senior leaders if he loses the case.

Leaders of the ruling People's Action Party (PAP) over the years have won millions of dollars in damages from opposition politicians who questioned their integrity.

The PAP won 82 of the 84 seats in the last elections, extending its unbroken rule since 1959 by another five years.

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