While Mr Lim is a successful investor, his standing was not at the level of one who serves the public and the state. This is why the damages should be more in line with those awarded to individuals who are not public leaders, the court said. -- ST PHOTO: SHAHRIYA YAHAYA
LEADING investor Peter Lim has won damages of $210,000 in a defamation case - likely the highest amount awarded to someone in Singapore who is not a public leader.
The previous high was likely $150,000 awarded to lawyer Arul Chandran in a libel case a decade ago, lawyers said.
Mr Lim's case centred on a long-running row over Raffles Town Club.
In October last year, he won his defamation suit against the club's shareholders, Ms Margaret Tung and Mr Lin Jian Wei.
Mr Lim had claimed that a statement signed by Mr Lin and Ms Tung was defamatory as it implied that the club's financial difficulties were due to mismanagement by the original directors. Mr Lim was said to be a de facto director during that period.
The statement was sent out to members in 2005, explaining why the club was embarking on a scheme of payment. The scheme was needed as the club had been sued by members for recruiting too many people, but could not pay the damages.
