Canadian preacher, Zamihan agree on RM30k security for costs

Canadian Muslim preacher Abu Ameenah Bilal Philips and Home Ministry official Zamihan Mat Zin have agreed on RM30,000 security for costs which the former would deposit for in his RM1 million defamation suit.

This was disclosed by Bilal Philips' lawyer Meor Amir Meor Omar Baki when the case came up before Kuala Lumpur High Court judge Ahmad Zaidi Ibrahim.

“Both parties have agreed to the amount and it would be deposited. The court has also fixed July 31 to Aug 3 as hearing dates for the suit," he said.

Security for costs can be imposed if the plaintiff who filed the suit is a foreigner for fear of not being able to pay costs should the plaintiff lose the case.

Bilal Philips, in his statement of claim, alleged that Zamihan’s Facebook post from November 2016, displayed a picture of him, accompanied by a description calling him a supporter of international terrorism. 

The posting was made ahead of a religious event held in Perlis, at which the Canadian preacher was a speaker.

The Jamaican-born preacher complained that the words describing him as a supporter of terrorism are false, defamatory and made without basis, given that he strives to promote peace and understanding of Islam, and rejects terrorism carried out in the name of religion.

Bilal Philips who converted to Islam in the 1970s argued that Zamihan’s allegation means that he is actively engaged in terrorism and violence, and that his lectures are geared towards those ends.

He also noted that he has written over 50 books on Islam and has been involved in various Islamic TV programmes such as 'Peace TV', 'Huda TV' and 'The Deen Show, Chicago'.

Bilal Philips said he has Bachelor’s degrees from the Middle East and a PhD from the University of Wales and was also dubbed as one of the 500 most influential Muslims in the world last year.

He is seeking general damages in excess of RM1 million, to be assessed by the court, as well as aggravated and exemplary damages.

Previously, Zamihan was also found to have defamed NGO Syria Care by the High Court and the decision was upheld by the Court of Appeal, where he was ordered him to pay RM50,000.- Mkini