The Kuala Lumpur High Court today rejected Human Resources Minister Dr S Subramaniam's application to stop a Tamil daily

from continuing to publish articles that he claimed were defamatory.

Justice Zabariah Mohd Yusof dismissed with costs Subramaniam's application after hearing submissions from lawyers representing both parties in her chambers.

On June 7, Subramaniam sued Makkal Osai , claiming that the newspaper had defamed him in three articles published on May 24, 25 and 29 this year.

He named the publisher Makkal Osai Sdn Bhd, printer FKZ Printing Sdn Bhd, journalist K Devandran and former Petaling Jaya Selatan MIC chairperson V Subramaniam as defendants.

Lawyer K Saraswathy, for the publisher, printer and journalist, told the media that the judge gave no grounds in dismissing Subramaniam's application.

Lawyer J Chandra appeared for the fourth defendant V Subramaniam, while P Paari appeared for Subramaniam.

In his statement of claim, Subramaniam claimed that the articles portrayed him as a dishonest politician and a fraud.

He applied for an injunction to stop the defendants, through agents or individuals, from further publishing the alleged defamatory words against him.

He had also sought general damages, costs and further relief deemed fit by the court.

- Bernama