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Blogger and financial adviser Leong Sze Hian will not take to the witness stand for cross-examination, his lawyer Lim Tean stated on the second day of a four-day defamation trial.

Lim stated that the defence was "very satisfied we have sufficient admissions to meet our case."

As such, Leong cannot assist with the issue further, he added.

In response, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong's lawyer, Davinder Singh, criticised Leong for letting Singaporeans down.

"Turned tail and fled"

In calling Leong's decision "deeply disappointing", Singh highlighted that Leong had repeatedly stated that he would stand up and fight for his supporters and Singaporeans.

He added:

"We have a situation where the plaintiff (PM Lee) has turned up in court and gone into the stand, unafraid of any questions and ready to defend his position."

However, Leong himself "has turned tail and fled" even though he had alleged that PM Lee had abused the "process of court."

Singh then stated:

"The real reason is that he knows, that he is unable to defend what he said in his affidavits and is afraid of the truth."

In the first paragraph of the defendant's opening statement, Leong said that he has served an affidavit for the trial and will present himself for cross examination.

Lim Tean: Plaintiff's case is "frivolous" and "vacuous"

In response, Lim stated that he could not help but think that Singh had crafted a "political speech" meant for publication in the mainstream media, with the purpose of humiliating Leong.

Lim also added that his team had come to the conclusion that PM Lee's case is "frivolous" and "vacuous" and should be "laughed" at in court.

Lim said:

"We are not going to help this plaintiff who has come to this place to pollute the fountain of justice. That, Your Honour, is where I will rest."

The case

The trial for PM Lee's defamation suit against Leong began on yesterday (Oct 6).

PM Lee sued Leong in late 2018 over a public Facebook post that Leong shared on his page, containing a link to an article by Malaysian website The Coverage.

The article contained allegations that PM Lee helped former Malaysian prime minister Najib Razak launder money in relation to Malaysian state fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB).

Will return to court on Nov. 30

Subsequently, Judge Aedit Abdullah stated that he will reserve judgement on the matter.

Both parties will return to court in person on November 30, 2020, for oral submissions.

They are expected to turn in their written submissions to the court by Nov. 20.

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Top photo collage by Guan Zhen Tan