The Court of Appeal in Putrajaya today reduced the quantum of damages from RM500,000 to RM300,000 that Wan Muhammad Azri Wan Deris has to pay to a businessman over a defamatory article on his blog known as Papagomo.

Justice Mohamad Ariff Md Yusof chairing a three-member panel partly allowed Wan Muhammad Azri’s appeal on the quantum of damages but dismissed his appeal on liability.

The panel, which also comprised Justices Mah Weng Kwai and Abang Iskandar Abang Hashim, unanimously upheld the High Court’s decision which found Wan Muhammad Azri liable of defaming Abdul Razak Mohd Noor.

On Sept 13, last year, the High Court in Kuala Lumpur identified  Wan Muhammad Azri as the blogger Papagomo and ordered him to pay RM200,000 in general damages and RM300,000 in exemplary damages to Abdul Razak.

The Court of Appeal today maintained the High Court’s award of RM200,000 in general damages to Abdul Razak but reduced the exemplary damages to RM100,000.

Justice Ariff also ordered Wan Muhammad Azri, 31, to pay RM15,000 in legal costs to Abdul Razak.

Abdul Razak, 60, sued Wan Muhammad Azri seeking RM10 million in damages over the defamatory article posted in his blog on Dec 11, 2011, which implied that he (Abdul Razak) was a liar who reaped millions of ringgit in profits through a contract for the Commonwealth Games.

Wan Muhammad Azri was represented by lawyers Mohd Arief Emran Arifin and Wan Muhammad Amin Wan Yahya while lawyer Reuben Netto represented Abdul Razak.

- Bernama