Senator S Nallakaruppan lost his appeal today to set aside a High Court decision holding him liable of making defamatory statements against Anwar Ibrahim in 2008.  

A three-member Court of Appeal panel presided by Zaharah Ibrahim, Anantham Kasinater and Mah Weng Kwai unanimously dismissed his appeal.

Justice Zaharah held that the High Court was correct to strike out Nallakaruppan’s defence after he failed to furnish further and better particulars on the allegations he made against Anwar.  

The panel also ordered Nallakaruppan to pay RM15,000 in legal costs to Anwar.

Nallakaruppan, who is president of the Malaysian Indian United Party (MUIP), was appealing against the Kuala Lumpur High Court decision on June 19, 2012 which found him liable of making defamatory statements against the opposition leader.  

High Court judge Su Geok Yiam had made the ruling after allowing Anwar’s application to strike out Nallakaruppan’s defence.

NONE She also ordered Nallakaruppan to pay damages to Anwar, to be assessed by the deputy registrar.

Anwar filed the suit on Aug 25, 2008 over alleged derogatory remarks by Nallakaruppan in an article, ‘ Anwar terima RM60 juta ’ (Anwar receives RM60 million) which were published in the Mingguan Malaysia and Sinar Harian newspapers in August 2008.  

Nallakaruppan’s lawyer Muhammad Shafee Abdullah informed the court that his client had instructed for the matter to be brought up to the Federal Court.  

Anwar was represented by lawyer R Sivarasa.  

- Bernama

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