Chinese educationists in rare showdown

Dong Zong chairperson Yap Sin Tian has filed a defamation suit against Goh Kean Seng, the principal of the Confucian independent secondary school in Kuala Lumpur.

Yap (left), who is also New Era College (NEC) council president, is seeking compensation of RM44 million comprising RM17 million in general damages, RM17 million for aggravated damages and RM10 million in exemplary damages.

Such lawsuits are rare among Chinese educationists, while the sum involved is said to be the highest to date.

In his statement of claims, Yap accused Goh of falsely and blatantly making defamatory statements against him and disparaging his reputation in the Chinese education circle.

Goh had reportedly referred to Yap as a ‘Chinese education killer, scum and coward’.

Yap also applied for an injunction to restrain Goh and his agents from making further scurrilous remarks against him.

On Dec 5 last year, Yap had sent Goh a legal letter demanding an apology by Dec 8. When he did not obtain this, Yap filed the lawsuit at the Kuala Lumpur High Court on Dec 9.

Goh (right) is a supporter of former NEC dean Kua Kia Soong, a prominent educationalist and human rights activist who has been embroiled in a long-running spat with Yap.

This erupted into an open quarrel in June last year, when 14 department heads were allegedly 'evicted' from a council meeting by Yap, during a discussion on whether he or Kua had jurisdiction to appoint department heads.

Since then, Kua and some department heads have frequently exchanged words with Yap and his supporters via the Chinese media.

Kua’s service with NEC ended on Dec 31 last year.

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