Court dismisses UUM lecturer's RM2m suit against Salahuddin's daughter

Universiti Utara Malaysia lecturer Kamarul Zaman Yusoff was ordered to pay costs amounting to RM13,000 over a defamation suit he filed against a former Dewan Rakyat speaker’s former private secretary, Siti Fatihah Salahuddin.

Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court judge Norakhmar Sani made the decision via the e-review platform yesterday.

Kamarul Zaman filed the defamation suit after Siti Fatihah responded to his Facebook post that questioned and challenged the credibility of the then Dewan Rakyat speaker Ariff Yusof.

Kamarul Zaman (above) made the post on May 8, 2020, and Siti Fatihah responded the following day.

Following this, the plaintiff, among other things, sought RM2 million in damages and a public apology from the defendant, who is also the daughter of the late Salahuddin Ayub, the former Amanah deputy president.

Former Dewan Rakyat speaker Ariff Yusof

The defendant’s lawyers, Khainis Yussof and Nur Amalina Rashidi, said their client had a moral and social responsibility to issue a response to the plaintiff’s statement that questioned Ariff’s credibility.

“Siti Fatihah’s statement relates to a matter of public interest, namely the plaintiff’s action in questioning and challenging Ariff’s credibility as the Dewan Rakyat speaker.

“Siti Fatihah’s statement, in its full context, is true and has justification,” they told Malaysiakini when contacted.

Kamarul Zaman was represented by lawyer Harris Mohan Abdullah.

The court, after examining all witness testimonies from both parties during the trial, documentary evidence, written submissions and reply submissions filed, decided to dismiss the plaintiff’s claim against the defendant with costs of RM13,000. - Mkini