Monday, March 29, 2021

Court dismisses Air Kelantan's defamation suit against Husam

 


The Kota Bharu High Court today dismissed a defamation suit by Air Kelantan Sdn Bhd (AKSB) against former Amanah vice-president Husam Musa.

Husam's lawyer Shamsul Baharin Abdullah said the decision was delivered by High Court judge Shamsul Baharin Abdullah via online.

"The court also ordered AKSB to pay legal cost to our client," Shamsul told Malaysiakini.

Apart from Shamsul, Husam's legal team included lawyers Alawi Abdul Rashid, Noorazham Yahaya and Rusliwati Zakaria.

AKSB's legal team was led by Kelantan PAS legal bureau chief Nik Bahrum Nik Abdullah.

Husam (photo, above) had on March 5, 2018 demanded the Kelantan government explain its approval of the Merbau Condong water scheme project Phase 11 worth RM27.1 million. He was the Salor assemblyperson at the time.

Husam alleged the project was offered to Cdah Construction Jangka Prestasi JV on Jan 22, 2015, although it had yet to be registered with the Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM).

However, AKSB chairperson said Cdah Construction and Jangka Prestasi were granted the project after passing various evaluations by the tender community.

He also explained the joint-venture's status with the SSM was only a case of the joint-venture entity changing its name.

AKSB initiated the defamation suit against Husam on May 28, 2018.

Husam's legal team had relied on the defence of justification, fair comment and qualified privileges.

Meanwhile, Nik Bahrum acknowledged the defamation case was dismissed but noted that they were ordered to pay a minimal cost of RM1,000.

He said this was because there was no element of wrongdoing or breach of trust as claimed.

He said the matter was also brought to the attention of the MACC but no action had been taken against anyone. - Mkini

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