The High Court today rejected a RM160 million defamation suit by a housing developer against Sistem Televisyen Malaysia Berhad (TV3).

Judge Siti Khadijah S Hassan Badjenid reached the decision on the suit which was filed by Malaysia Airports Berhad’s Employees Cooperative against TV3, and its editor and publisher of the news at the time, Kamarul Zaman Zainal and reporter Puspavathy Ramaloo.  

Siti Khadijah said after weighing the testimony, evidence and submissions from both parties, the court found that the plaintiff (cooperative) had failed to prove the case against the defendants (TV3, Kamarul Zaman and Puspavathy).

“So the court rejects the plaintiff's suit. No orders on cost,” she said.  

The cooperative filed the case on April 6, 2007, alleging the defendant had aired news that was defamatory in nature regarding its business, on its 8pm Buletin Utama programme.     

The cooperative claimed that the news had caused its character and business reputation to be badly tarnished and sought RM160 million in damages, costs and other relief deemed fit by the court.   

The defendants claimed qualified privilege and justification as their defence.     

- Bernama