RPK’s articles hurt my reputation, says lawyer

(The Star) - Lawyer Datuk Seri Mu­­hammad Shafee Abdullah contended that his reputation was tarnished due to the publication of three defamatory articles by Malaysia Today editor Raja Petra Kamarudin.

His lead counsel S. Ravindran said Muhammad Shafee had given evidence of his reputation during the hearing on assessment of damages in his defamation suit in chambers yesterday.

Speaking to reporters later, Muhammad Shafee said he had also given a copy of his curriculum vitae to the court.

“The CV shows what sort of reputation I have,” he said.

Muhammad Shafee added that the articles were still available on the website although the court had held it was defamatory.

Raja Petra’s lawyer Jadadish Chandra said he had asked Muhammad Shafee on the appointments and awards he had obtained after the publication of the articles on Aug 6, 7 and 11, 2008.

“He continued to get awards. He even got a Datuk Seri award in 2009. There was no damage (to his reputation) as alleged,” he said.

Senior assistant registrar Farah Hana Hashim ordered parties to send written submissions by May 9 for assessment of dama­ges.

In February 2011, Muhammad Shafee succeeded in getting a judgment against Raja Petra over three defamatory articles.

High Court judge Justice John Louis O’Hara held that the offending words in the articles were false, malicious and defamatory of Muhammad Shafee.

Muhammad Shafee made an application on Jan 26 for the disposal of his August 2008 suit based on a point of law without going for a full trial.