MELAKA, Oct 19 (Bernama) — Seputeh Member of Parliament Teresa Kok has won her defamation suit against UMNO Youth Chief Datuk Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh, with the High Court here awarding her RM250,000 in general and aggravated damages.
High Court Judicial Commissioner Datuk Isa Aziz Ibrahim ruled in Kok’s favour after allowing the suit she filed against Muhamad Akmal.
“Taking into account her 25-year standing as a sixth-term MP, the gravity of accusing her of habitually endangering national harmony, the defendant’s persistent refusal to retract the statements, and the entire circumstances and totality of the evidence, this court is of the opinion that a global sum of RM250,000 in general and aggravated damages is fair, reasonable and proportionate,” he said.
The court also granted an injunction restraining Dr Muhamad Akmal, whether personally or through his agents, servants or associates, from making, publishing or distributing further defamatory statements against Kok.
The court further ordered Dr Muhamad Akmal to pay RM50,000 in costs and granted a mandatory injunction requiring him to remove the impugned statements from all social media platforms.
Koh was represented by lawyer Datuk Sankara Nair while lawyer Syahrul Syazwan Salehin acted for Dr Muhamad Akmal.
In her statement of claim filed on Oct 25, 2024, Kok alleged that Dr Muhamad Akmal had made insulting and derogatory statements portraying her as lacking knowledge, particularly on matters related to halal certification, and as opposing government policies on Islamic practices.
The alleged defamatory remarks appeared in a video posted by Dr Muhamad Akmal on TikTok on Sept 7, 2024.
Kok named Dr Muhamad Akmal, who is also the Merlimau Assemblyman and Melaka Rural Development, Agriculture and Food Security Committee chairman, as the sole defendant. She sought general, aggravated and exemplary damages.
Meanwhile, Kok, in a statement following the ruling, welcomed the decision, describing it as an important step towards protecting her reputation and holding individuals accountable for defamatory publications.
She said public discourse, including debate on matters of public interest, must be conducted responsibly, adding that freedom of expression did not exempt individuals from the legal consequences of publishing defamatory statements.
— BERNAMA