PETALING JAYA: The High Court here on Tuesday directed controversial blogger Papagomo to remove defamatory statements made against the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Tan Sri Razarudin Husain.
This follows a decision by Judicial Commissioner Gan Techiong, who granted Razarudin’s application for an ex-parte injunction to prevent the blogger, whose real name is Wan Muhammad Azri Wan Deris, from issuing defamatory remarks against him.
The application is part of a defamation lawsuit filed by Razarudin last Thursday, regarding statements by Papagomo labelling him as a "dishonourable prisoner prostitute" and a "sycophant" to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
In granting the application, Techiong said Razarudin had presented a strong case.
"The words and phrases used by the defendant clearly refer to the plaintiff and are defamatory in nature," he stated, reported by Sinar Harian.
The judge also issued an ex-parte injunction prohibiting the defendant from publishing or disseminating defamatory statements on any social media platform.
This includes any statements targeting Razarudin until the conclusion of the trial.
Additionally, the court ordered Wan Muhammad Azri to refrain from posting videos, statuses, comments, or references to the plaintiff in relation to his position as the IGP or in a personal capacity, whether in written or verbal form, online via social media platforms, or through messaging applications like Telegram and WhatsApp.
Papagomo is also required to retract, remove, and delete video publications on YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, Telegram, and X dated Dec 14, 15, 20, and 22 that contain defamatory remarks against Razarudin.
"This injunction is necessary to immediately prohibit and restrain the defendant as requested by the plaintiff.
"Therefore, the court grants the plaintiff’s application for an injunction, effective until further orders from this court," said the judge, who set Jan 10 for the hearing of the inter-parte injunction application.
During the proceedings, the controversial blogger and his lawyer were absent, while the plaintiff was represented by lawyer Raam Kumar.
On Dec 26, Razarudin filed a RM3mil defamation suit against Wan Muhammad Azri for statements labelling him as a "dishonourable prisoner prostitute" and a "sycophant" to the Prime Minister.
Earlier, the media reported that Raam, representing Razarudin, stated that his client is seeking damages for verbal and written defamation, as well as general, aggravated, exemplary, and special damages.
Raam also noted that Razarudin is seeking an injunction to prevent the defendant, his agents, or any other party from issuing or republishing defamatory statements.
Furthermore, the IGP demands that the defendant retract the defamatory remarks, delete and destroy all videos, publications, and materials deemed defamatory, and issue an apology through all social media accounts, media outlets, and online platforms. The content of the apology must first be approved by the plaintiff.
Previously, it was reported that the investigation papers involving Wan Muhammad Azri’s defamatory video against Razarudin and the Royal Malaysia Police had been referred to the Attorney General’s Chambers.
On Dec 19, Razarudin confirmed that the blogger’s statement was recorded at the Setapak Police Station regarding the defamatory and offensive video targeting both him and the police, which had been uploaded on YouTube.
The case is being investigated under Section 14 of the Minor Offences Act, Sections 500 and 504 of the Penal Code, and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.
