JUDGMENT

Sulaiman Daud JCA:

[1] This is an appeal by the appellant against that part of the decision of the learned High Court judge given on 13 May 2008 which disallowed his application for leave to amend the statement of claim in a libel action to introduce a new para. 8A to give particulars of the allegation that the statements or words complained of referred to him ("the proposed amendment"). After hearing submissions of counsel from both parties, we allowed the appeal with costs. We now give our reason for the decision.

[2] At all material times the appellant was a State Assemblyman and an Assistant Minister of Housing, Sarawak. The first respondent was a Member of Parliament and the Deputy Federal Minister of Housing and Local Government, Malaysia. Both of them were members of the Sarawak United People's Party ("SUPP") holding high office in the Sibu Branch and in the Central Working Committee of the party.

[3] In this action the appellant claims damages for libel against all the respondents in respect of two statements made by the first respondent on 6 February 2007 and 11 February 2007 which were published in the See Hua Daily News on 7 February 2007 and 12 February 2007 respec