P Ramasamy has launched a crowdfunding campaign to raise RM1.52 million after a civil court ruled in favour of Islamic preacher Dr Zakir Naik in his defamation suit against the former Penang deputy chief minister.
During a press conference in Kuala Lumpur, the former DAP leader this afternoon said he would be transparent with the funds gathered and that any excess amount would be used in ways to benefit the public.
Ramasamy (above) reiterated that his legal team would be appealing the verdict at the Court of Appeal.
He added that his five statements - which the civil court ruled as defamatory - were not uttered personally against Zakir but due to him standing up for Malaysians.
“I will continue to speak on behalf of the voiceless in Malaysia, whether Chinese, Indians, Malays, Iban (and so on).
"This is a temporary obstacle and I hope to do what is best for Malaysians," Ramasamy said.
The civil court ruling today was RM1.45 million for damages and RM70,000 for legal costs.
In 2019, Zakir filed two separate suits against Ramasamy over the latter’s public statements: one linked to the preacher’s controversial ceramah in Kota Bharu, Kelantan, on Aug 8, 2019 and the other in relation to the 2019 mass arrests linked to alleged attempts to revive the defunct militant group Liberation Tamil Tigers of Eelam (LTTE).
Ramasamy must also apologise
During open-court proceedings, judge Hayatul Akmal Abdul Aziz ruled that all three elements of defamation had been proven by Zakir for the five public statements Ramasamy made.
The judge said Ramasamy failed to show he was entitled to the defence of justification and fair comment.
The damages include RM1 million for general damages, RM100,000 for compensatory damages, RM100,000 for aggravated damages, and RM250,000 for exemplary damages.
The judge directed the defendant to pay the damages, quantum and costs within 30 days from today.
Hayatul also ordered Ramasamy to make a public apology to Zakir.
Ramasamy's legal team had informed the court that they would be appealing to the Court of Appeal and that they would apply for a temporary stay of the public apology.
It is not clear whether his legal team would also be making a stay application over the need to pay damages pending disposal of his appeal. - Mkini
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