Chief Syariah judge Mohd Naim Mokhtar has filed a defamation suit amounting to RM30 million against former Umno Supreme Council member Lokman Noor Adam.
This is in connection with allegations of sexual harassment against several women, including one carrying the title 'Datin'.
Mohd Naim, 54, filed the suit in the High Court through Messrs Akberdin & Co on Jan 17, naming Lokman (above), 49, as the defendant.
Based on the statement of claim, Mohd Naim, who is also the director-general of the Department of Syariah Judiciary Malaysia, filed the suit in his personal capacity.
He claimed the defendant had defamed him by making statements through two live posts on the Facebook page ‘Lokman Noor Adam Official’ on Jan 10 and Jan 13.
The plaintiff claimed the defendant also uploaded the live broadcast on his YouTube page on Jan 10, and Jan 14 respectively, besides uploading three defamatory posts against him on Facebook on Jan 11 and Jan 13.
The plaintiff further claimed the defamatory statements implied he was a spiritual opportunist, had failed to be a credible leader or set a good example for the community, and tarnished the good image of the Syariah Judiciary Department.
Mohd Naim claimed the live broadcast and other posts were spread to third parties, as the defendant's Facebook and YouTube pages could be viewed and commented on by the general public.
"The defendant published the statement with the intent that it would be published domestically and internationally through the electronic media as well as print media," the plaintiff claimed in the lawsuit.
According to the plaintiff, a police report was lodged on Dec 12 last year to deny 'the Datin's' allegations against him, and he also lodged a police report against Lokman over his actions.
Mohd Naim said a notice of claim dated Jan 13 was issued against the defendant to withdraw the defamatory statements and delete the posts on Facebook, besides making a public apology within 24 hours. However, as of today, the defendant had ignored the police report and notice.
He claimed that the defamatory statements had tarnished his reputation, dignity, image and status in the eyes of the public.
Mohd Naim is seeking an injunction for the defendant to delete the videos and posts, as well as to prevent the defendant from republishing them, besides an apology from the defendant to be uploaded on social media.
The plaintiff is also seeking general damages to be assessed by the court, apart from exemplary, aggravated, and punitive damages amounting to RM10 million each, with five percent interest per annum calculated from the date of judgment until full settlement, as well as other relief deemed fit by the court.
The injunction application is scheduled to be heard tomorrow before High Court judge Rozana Ali Yusoff, while case management has been set for Feb 21.
- Bernama
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