The Utusan Melayu (Malaysia) Bhd newspaper company and its group editor-in-chief, Abdul Aziz Ishak, in their statements of defence stated that the news linking the opposition leader, Anwar Ibrahim, to the armed intrusion in Sabah, was reported by the newspaper based on intelligence reports by the Malaysian and Philippine security authorities, as well as international media reports.

Both defendants also explained that the newspaper was a mainstream newspaper which provided information and knowledge to its readers, where the defendants had obligations morally and in law as had been reported.

In addition, the incident pertaining to the intrusion in Lahad Datu was an issue concerning public interest which should be shared with the people of the country.

NONE Both defendants also stated that the plaintiff did not meet with the requirement under Order 18 Rule 12 (1A) of the Rules of Court 2012, whereby the quantum of claim for general damages cannot be stated.

The defendant claimed that the motive of the plaintiff in filing the defamation suit was driven by political interest and not to clear his name.

Anwar, 66, filed the defamation suit on March 8 demanding RM100 million by naming Utusan and its editor as the first and second defendants, followed by TV3 and the group managing editor of Media Prima Berhad, Shaharudin Latif as the third and fourth defendants.

Meanwhile, the news editor of Buletin Utama, Ing Boon Seng, was named as the last defendant.

The third to fifth defendants, in their statements of claim, said that the news programme was aired based on reliable facts and were reported in the public interest and in good faith.

The three defendants asked the court to dismiss the plaintiff’s demands on the grounds that he had no right to any remedy or relief as claimed.

Judge Rosilah Yeop fixed hearing for the case for three days beginning Dec 9.

- Bernama