A novelist has won a suit against her personal assistant over a defamatory statement posted on Facebook.

This followed a decision by the Civil High Court last Aug 4 in allowing an application for a judgment in default by Siti Rosmizah Semail, 42, against Asmaliyana Ahmad, 24, who is also her sister-in-law.

Judicial Commissioner Vazeer Alam Mydin Meera allowed the application by the novelist, who is also a lawyer, after the defendant failed to enter an appearance within the stipulated period after the filing of the suit.

Today, the court heard Siti Rosmizah’s gave evidence on damages which would be assessed by the court.

Siti Rosmizah, who had authored seven novels, said the defamatory statement had affected the sale of her novels.

Vazeer set Sept 29 to decided on the damages.

On Dec 18 last year, Siti Rosmizah filed a suit for RM3 million against Asmaliyana, claiming that later had posted about 19 defamatory statements on her (defendant) Facebook page between April 21 and July 24 last year.

In the statement of claim, Siti Rosmizah stated that she was the recipient of the ‘Pilihan Pembaca Popular Berita Harian 2009' award, and that the postings of the defamatory statements had tarnished her reputation as a lawyer and a respected writer.

She also claimed it also affected her income as she was no longer invited to give talks on novel writing by publishers.

She was seeking RM1.5 million in general damages and another RM1.5 million in aggravated damaged, as well as interest, cost and other relief which the court deems fit.

- Bernama