Supinya

The legal battle between Shin Corp and press activist Supinya Klangnarong took a dramatic twist yesterday when she suggested she would not accept its offer to drop a lawsuit against her unless the prime minister’s business empire acknowledged the public had the right to put the company under scrutiny.

With Shin Corp under pressure to put the matter to rest, following public outcry over the takeover of Shin Corp by Singapore’s Temasek Holdings, Supin-ya is reviewing her options in the clash.

Under law, the defendant has the right to pursue a court verdict to clear her name.

“I would agree to settle the case if Shin Corp made an announcement that it embraces press freedom,” she said.

The stance from Supinya’s camp prompted Shin Corp to toughen its position yesterday.

Its lawyer Somporn Kongsuwan said it had offered to withdraw the suit on the condition that she apologised for her comments, published by another defendant, Thai Post, where she said the company had benefited hugely and dubiously from state policies.

“We have told her that if she agrees to apologise, we will withdraw the suit,” he said. “Since she doesn’t want us to do so, it seems we will have to wait for the court’s ruling.”

Shin Corp’s legal offensive, which includes a Bt400 million civil suit, has been met by a flood of questions over the Temasek deal and how relevant state agencies responded to them.

The new Singaporean owners of Shin Corp are unlikely to welcome a legal issue that could expose contentious points concerning the takeover, said one observer.

Supinya, secretary general of the Campaign for Media Reform, yesterday rejected the out-of-court settlement and asked the plaintiff Shin Corp to back away.

“If Shin Corp is sincere, it should notify its intent to drop the litigation case directly with the court,” she said.

The plaintiff contacted Supinya on Tuesday, offering to drop the libel charge under an undisclosed settlement.

Backing Supinya’s decision, a press group issued a five-point statement questioning the plaintiff’s motive.

The case is in the public interest and any decision relating to it should be made under public scrutiny instead of behind closed doors, the statement said.

Supinya has been sued in her capacity as an advocate of media reform, which is a public issue and not a personal matter, it said.

Shin Corp has not given its reason for reversing its position, it said.

Press freedom is at stake when the court makes its decision on March 15, it said.

Shin Corp is apparently in a no-win situation unless it withdraws the suit. A guilty verdict would inflame public anger over the Temasek deal while Supinya’s acquittal would be a big political embarrassment for it and Thaksin.