The High Court today ruled that it will hear Supermax founder Stanley Thai’s bid to exclude the media and public from a high-profile defamation suit brought by his estranged wife, Tan Bee Geok, before proceeding with its trial.
Judicial Commissioner Eddie Yeo said there was a need for the court to uphold the interests of justice, adding that the law vests judicial discretion with the courts as regards the grant of adjournments.
“The application in Enclosure 176 (the protective order application) shall be dealt with expeditiously, with sufficient time afforded to both parties to ventilate their positions,” said Yeo.
He directed Tan to file her affidavit opposing the application by July 30, and Thai to put in his reply by Aug 8. Both parties were ordered to file their written submissions simultaneously on Aug 13, and their respective replies by Aug 20.
Yeo then fixed the application for hearing on Sept 19.
He also struck off a stay application filed by Thai two days ago with no order as to costs.
The trial, originally scheduled to begin today, was paused to address a notice of application filed on July 11 seeking to bar the media and public from access to proceedings over concerns about privacy and reputational harm.
Tan, 64, co-founder of the glovemaking giant, is suing Thai over a series of statements allegedly made to family and friends three years ago, which she claims were calculated to shame her as a mother, relative and business leader.
Thai, 65, argues that the trial involves sensitive familial matters and is not of public interest. He is also seeking confidentiality over court transcripts and wants transcribers to sign non-disclosure agreements.
Thai’s application raises a novel legal question: can a defendant in a defamation suit, accused of damaging the plaintiff’s public reputation, restrict public access to proceedings initiated to restore that reputation?.
Thai is also understood to be calling several well-known individuals to testify, including a former national badminton player, a distinguished businessman and the manager of a renowned international artiste.
The tycoon did not name his witnesses, but said one of them was about to get married and would not want past romantic relationships brought out into the open.
The application filed by Thai’s solicitors, Shearn Delamore & Co, also seeks other protective measures, including an order that all court transcripts remain confidential and be made available only to the parties and their lawyers. He also wants all transcribers to sign non-disclosure agreements.
Thai was represented by lawyer G Rajasingam today, while Tan was represented by S Ravenesan.
Thai and Tan jointly own Supermax Holdings Sdn Bhd, a substantial shareholder in Supermax Corporation Berhad, one of the world’s leading producers of rubber gloves.
They were married in 1987, but saw their relationship deteriorate amid allegations from both sides.
In 2022, Tan sought a judicial separation. Thai filed for divorce in April last year. Those proceedings are ongoing in the family court.
