Felda gets judgment on SK publisher, printer not Azizah, Husin

Malaysia Chronicle

In a decision that critics claim reeked of partisanship, the Malaysian High Court granted judgment in default to land settlers’ agency Felda, which is under the direct charge of Prime Minister Najib Razak, over a RM200 million libel suit filed by his administration against PKR newspaper Suara Keadilan.

Suara Keadilan had front-paged a story entitledFelda Bangkrap that angered Najib, who has come under increasing fire for re-investing its funds in non-core planting and plantation activities such as in a new and costly headquarters as well as overseas properties.

According to PKR information chief Latheefa Koya, the judgment in default was granted only against publisher Pelita Koridor Sdn Bhd and printer Percetakan NPK Sdn Bhd.

“This judgment was entered despite their appeal for a short postponement as they were in a process of appointing solicitors to handle their case. No merit of the case was heard,” Latheefa said in a statement.

No judgement against Azizah, Syed Husin

She pointed out that no judgment in default was entered against the other four defendants namely PKR president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, deputy president Dr Syed Husin Ali, Suara Keadilan editor Dzulkarnain Taib and journalist Rusnizam Mahat.

PKR president Wan Azizah

“All of them have filed in their statement of defens through their solicitors Edwin Lim, Suren and Soh. Pelita Koridor and Percetakan NPK Sdn Bhd will be applying to set aside the judgment in default o
nce they have appointed their solicitors,” Latheefa also said.

In its RM200 million lawsuit, Felda had accused Suara Keadilan of carrying two allegedly defamatory articles in its June 22-29 edition.

In the statement of claim, Felda stated that the first defamatory article was Felda Bangkrap (Feldas Bankrupt)and the second was Bina Bangunan RM662 juta hanya libatkan tiga individu (The construction of the RM662mil building involved only three individuals).

Felda stated that the words in the first article implied that the plaintiffs were insolvent, unable to pay their debts and were not creditworthy, while the language used in the second article suggested that the acquisition and construction of the Felda HQ in downtown Kuala Lumpur was to benefit cronies.

Felda claimed that the allegations were so serious that it would be held in contempt and odium by the public in Malaysia and internationally. It further claimed that it had suffered extensive damage and harm to its plaintiffs reputation.

However, PKR lawyers have refuted the allegations, denying any libel and accused Najib of trying to preserve his political reputation at Suara Keadilan’s expense.

Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein, who is also Najib's cousin, has frozen the printing license of Suara Keadilan.