Lim Tean, the lawyer representing blogger and financial adviser Leong Sze Hian in a defamation suit by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, has expressed his delight at the outcome of proceedings which lasted over two days.

Lim put up a Facebook post which showed him speaking to reporters after the the trial on Oct. 7.

He stated:

"Very very happy with the way the evidence has emerged over the last two days."

In thanking the media, he added,"I hope you have found the trial interesting and enjoyable." 

Case recap

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).

The trial had originally been planned for four days, from Oct. 6 to Oct. 9.

On the first day of the trial, Oct. 6, Lim cross-examined PM Lee for over four hours.

This was followed by Lim's cross-examination of expert witness Phan Tuan Quang on the second day, Oct. 7.

An Associate Professor of Innovation and Information Management at the University of Hong Kong, Phan had been brought in by PM Lee to provide expert evidence.

The trial then unexpectedly concluded early on the second day when Lim stated that Leong will not take the stand as the defence was "very satisfied we have sufficient admissions to meet our case."

"Have the necessary material to defeat the plaintiff (PM Lee)"

Lim further stated that based on his cross-examination of PM Lee and the expert witness, Phan, "we (Lim's team) have the necessary material to defeat the plaintiff."

He added that after Phan had presented his evidence, he had spoken with Leong who agreed with his advice "that in all the circumstances there was no need for him (Leong) to give evidence."

As such, Lim submitted to the court, "that there was no case for the defendant to answer."

Judge Aedit Abdullah has since 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.

Here is Lim's video in full:

Here's what went down from Oct. 6- Oct. 7:

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Top image screenshot from Lim Tean Facebook