Khalid Samad's suit against NSTP fixed for hearing in Aug

The High Court in Kuala Lumpur has fixed four days beginning Aug 27 to hear Federal Territories Minister Khalid Samad's defamation suit against New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd.

Judicial Commissioner Faizah Jamaluddin set the date during a case management today after mediation efforts failed.

The suit is over an article dated May 27, 2016, reported in Berita Harian, a publication under the NSTP group, titled "Selepas 20 tahun terhalang, rang undang-undang mahkamah syariah akhirnyadibentang di Parlimen, kerajaan beri PAS laluan, DAP; Amanah bantah." (After 20 years, amendment to Syariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act 1965 (Act 355) is tabled in Parliament, the government gives way to PAS, DAP; Amanah objects).

Khalid was represented by lawyer Faiz Fadzil, while Ellia Zuraini Mat Zin appeared for NSTP.

He filed the suit in February last year alleging that there was malice in the Berita Harian report, as that he is the Amanah communications director.

He had named Berita Harian then group editor, Mahfar Ali, journalist Hazwan Faisal Mohamad and Rohaniza Idris and NSTP as defendants.

In his statement of claim, Khalid said the article, in its natural and ordinary meaning and by innuendo meant that he strongly objected the tabling of the law, he was in unison with DAP on going against the law, insincere, irresponsible and corrupt.

He further stated that the words meant that he was a leader who failed to uplift Islam.

Khalid claimed that the paper did not practice responsible journalism and it had caused him to be ridiculed and subjected to public odium.

The Shah Alam MP said he had sent a letter of demand on May 27, 2016 seeking unconditional apology but there was no response.

He sought general, aggravated and exemplary damages, and an apology from the defendants.

In its defence dated March 24 last year, the paper denied there was malice in its report and claimed that the report was based on actual proceedings in the Dewan Rakyat.

As a media organisation, NSTP claimed that it was in the interest of the public and its social duty to report what had happened.

They raised the defence of qualified privilege. - Mkini