News

Tuesday January 22, 2013

Anwar wins defamation suit against Utusan


KUALA LUMPUR: The High Court has ruled in favour of Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in his defamation suit against Utusan Melayu (Malaysia) Bhd and its chief editor for publishing two articles on his comments about homosexual laws in a BBC interview.

Justice V.T. Singham ruled that the words in the article were defamatory and could bring down Anwar’s reputation and political standing by suggesting that he would not make a suitable leader of the federal government.

The defendants, he said, had also failed to prove justification in publishing the article, adding that there was no evidence that they did not intend to defame Anwar.

“They have also failed to prove fair comment. Public interest was not served as Utusan Malaysia did not publish and reproduce the plaintiff’s statement in full (from the BBC interview),” said Justice Singham.

Granting for damages to be assessed, Justice Singham also ordered the defendants to pay RM45,000 in costs to Anwar.

  • E-mail this story
  • Print this story
  • Bookmark and Share