Published: Monday January 21, 2013 MYT 7:49:00 PM

Nallakaruppan loses appeal in defamation case brought by Anwar

PUTRAJAYA: Senator Datuk S. Nallakaruppan lost his appeal on Monday to set aside a High Court decision holding him liable of making defamatory statements against Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in 2008.

A three-member Court of Appeal panel presided by Datuk Zaharah Ibrahim, Datuk Anantham Kasinater and Datuk Mah Weng Kwai unanimously dismissed his appeal.

Justice Zaharah held that the High Court was correct to strike out Nallakaruppan's defence after he failed to furnish further and better particulars on the allegations he made against Anwar.

The panel also ordered Nallakaruppan to pay RM15,000 in legal costs to Anwar.

Nallakaruppan, who is president of the Malaysian Indian United Party (MUIP), was appealing against the Kuala Lumpur High Court decision on June 19, 2012 which found him liable of making defamatory statements against the opposition leader.

High Court judge Datuk Su Geok Yiam had made the ruling after allowing Anwar's application to strike out Nallakaruppan's defence.

She also ordered Nallakaruppan to pay damages to Anwar, to be assessed by the deputy registrar.

Anwar filed the suit on Aug 25, 2008 over alleged derogatory remarks by Nallakaruppan in an article, "Anwar terima RM60 juta" (Anwar receives RM60mil) which were published in the Mingguan Malaysia and Sinar Harian newspapers in Aug 2008.

Nallakaruppan's lawyer Datuk Seri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah informed the court that his client had instructed the matter to be brought up to the Federal Court.

Anwar was represented by lawyer R. Sivarasa. - Bernama

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Published: Monday January 21, 2013 MYT 7:49:00 PM

Nallakaruppan loses appeal in defamation case brought by Anwar