Judicial Commissioner Datuk Seri Latifah Mohd Tahar, in her judgment, said that Khalid Abd Samad’s comments followed the outrageous behaviour of the plaintiff (Datuk Seri Tajuddin Abdul Rahman) during the proceedings in Parliament, by using unparliamentary statements against Seputeh MP Teresa Kok Suh Sim. – Picture by Hari Anggara
KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 22 — The High Court here today dismissed a defamation suit filed by Pasir Salak Member of Parliament (MP) Datuk Seri Tajuddin Abdul Rahman against Shah Alam MP Khalid Abd Samad, The New Straits Time Press (M) Berhad (NSTP) and KiniTV Sdn Bhd, in relation to defamatory statements at a press conference at the Parliament lobby, six years ago.
Judicial Commissioner Datuk Seri Latifah Mohd Tahar made the ruling after finding that the statements made by Khalid as the first defendant were not defamatory and were made based on justification, reasonable comments and conditional protection.
“The second (NSTP) and third (KiniTV) defendants have made bona fide (good faith) publications on matters of public interest and the publications made are fair and accurate. Therefore, the plaintiff’s claim against all defendants is dismissed with no order as to cost as this was a matter of public interest,” she said.
Latifah, in her judgment, said that Khalid’s comments followed the outrageous behaviour of the plaintiff (Tajuddin) during the proceedings in Parliament, by using unparliamentary statements against Seputeh MP Teresa Kok Suh Sim.
She said this was supported by the testimony of the witnesses of the MPs who testified in court during the trial. — Bernama