KUCHING: Former state PKR information chief Vernon Aji Kedit claims he could issue statements he deems right without the need for consultation with others.
He said this at his defamation trial yesterday before High Court Judge Ravithran Paramaguru.
Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah is suing Vernon over his posting last year in the state PKR media Whatsapp Group where had called him (Uggah) a ‘liar’ and a ‘traitor.’
“As the Information Chief, it is incumbent upon me to issue statements I deem right.
“I can issue statements without consulting others.
“There are cases where, by virtue of my appointment, I do not require approval,” he told the court when examined by Uggah’s counsel Sim Hui Chuang.
Vernon added it goes without saying that one of his duties was to disseminate information.
When Sim put it to him it was not for him to disseminate information on NCR land rights under the State Land Laws, he disagreed.
Vernon had told the court on Monday that he ceased to be the state PKR Information chief as of last month.
Meanwhile, he consistently denied he had called Uggah a ‘liar’ and a’ traitor’ during cross examination by Sim.
This was despite Sim showing to the court several excerpts from his posting/ publication and during a press conference where he continued to describe Uggah as such.
Vernon claimed he was fighting for the rights of Sarawakians but he had been victimised.
To this, Sim told him it was in fact the plaintiff who had been victimised as he (Vernon) had branded him a ‘liar’ and ‘traitor ‘ through the whatsapp group where he (Vernon) had hundreds of friends.
