Former Ampang Jaya Municipal Council enforcement director Abdul Kudus Ahmad today won his defamation suit against former deputy minister in the Prime Minister’s Department M Kayveas and the The New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd (NSTP).

High Court Judge Su Geok Yiam found Kayveas and NSTP had defamed Abdul Kudus.

Su also ordered Kayveas to pay general damages to Abdul Kudus with interest set at five from the date of filing of the suit in 2004 until full settlement.

She also ordered NSTP to pay general, aggravated and exemplary damages to the plaintiff.

The court fixed July 11 for case management on assessment of damages.

NONE Abdul Kudus ( right ) filed the civil suit in 2004 over an article published in the Malay Mail dated May 29, 2003, and named Kayveas and the NSTP as defendants.   

The article reportedly included statements by Kayveas alleging malpractices by Abdul Kudus.  

Kayveas and NSTP succeeded in striking out the suit through an earlier High Court application.  

However, on May 23, 2011, the appellate court allowed the appeal by Abdul Kudus and reversed the High Court decision by reinstating the suit.    

In his statement of claim, Abdul Kudus alleged that the remarks by Kayveas in The Malay Mail article caused serious damage to his reputation and image.

He said the words were made with malicious intent meant to humiliate, injure and tarnish his image as the enforcement director of the council at the time, as a result of which he was sacked from the post.

Abdul Kudus was represented by counsel G Ganeson while K Kavitha represented NSTP. Kayveas was not present in court today.

- Bernama