The Taiping High Court has directed Perak Pas chief Razman Zakaria to file his statement of defence against Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s defamation suit.
The Pakatan Harapan chairperson’s counsel Sankara Nair confirmed the outcome of today’s case management of the civil action linked to allegations of LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) agenda.
“Yang Arif (honourable) judicial commissioner Noor Ruwena Md Nurdin ordered the defendant (Razman) to file his (statement of) defence latest by Jan 20.
“The next case management is fixed on Feb 24, via way of zoom for latus updates,” the lawyer told Malaysiakini.
Co-counsel Jaden Phoon also appeared for plaintiff, Anwar.
Razman (above) was represented by lawyer Nurul Atiqah Badrul Hisham.
On Dec 5 last year, PKR president Anwar commenced the defamation suit, in his personal capacity, against Razman over allegations of the former having an LGBT agenda.
Earlier on Nov 9, it was reported that the Tambun MP issued a letter of demand to the PAS leader seeking RM5 million in damages and a public apology over claims of the former having an LGBT agenda and being a DAP puppet.
The legal letter was over Razman allegedly making the claims during a walkabout at the Tebuk Pancur night market in Perak three days earlier (Nov 6).
According to the civil action’s cause papers, Anwar claimed the speech was broadcasted live through defendant Razman’s Facebook account which purportedly garnered over 94,4000 views, 5,100 reactions, 429 shares, and more than 2,600 comments as of today.
The plaintiff dismissed the allegation as false and contended that he has a reputable national and global image, as well as always being an “ardent advocate of Islamic teachings and core values”.
Ignored letter of demand
Anwar claimed that the allegations were published without the defendant seeking prior confirmation of their truthfulness and validity.
The plaintiff claimed, among others, that the allegation has irreparably damaged his reputation and character as well as severely tarnished his social worthiness.
Anwar also alleged that Razman had wilfully ignored the former’s letter of demand for a retraction, apology, and undertaking not to repeat the purported defamatory words, and pay damages.
Through the civil suit, Anwar is seeking general, compensatory, aggravated, and exemplary damages, and an injunction to prevent Razman from further uttering, writing, or publishing the purported defamatory words.
The plaintiff also seeks five percent interest on the compensation awarded from the date of judgment to the date of full settlement, costs on a solicitor and client basis, and any other relief deemed fit by the court. - Mkini
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