Mohamad Sabu, also known as Mat Sabu, and Mustafa Ali today lost their appeal at the Federal Court in the defamation case filed by former Elections Commission deputy chairperson Wan Ahmad Wan Omar.

The three-member panel of judges of the Federal Court led by Appeals Court President Md Raus Sharif unanimously rejected the appeal by the former PAS deputy president and former secretary-general, with a cost of RM10,000.

It maintained the decision of the Appeals Court which complied with the order of the High Court for compensation of RM200,000 to be paid to Wan Ahmad.

Also sitting were the Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak Richard Malanjum and Federal Court Judge Abdull Hamid Embong.

Wan Ahmad filed the suit against Mat Sabu, who is now the president of Gerakan Harapan Baru, and Mustafa on March 5, 2013.

He claimed the article published in the Feb 1-3, 2013 edition of Harakah , based on its interview on Jan 29, 2013 which referred to the Sabah IC project was defamatory to him.

In their defence statement, Mohamad and Mustafa denied defaming Wan Ahmad, saying that his position as a civil servant was open to criticism.

On March 18 this year, the Appeals Court rejected their appeal to cancel the decision of the High Court on March 20 last year.

Counsel Mohd Hafarizam Harun told reporters that in general,Mat Sabu and Mustafa must pay Wan Ahmad RM250,000, not including interest.

“This was inclusive of the compensation order of RM200,000, High Court costs of RM30,000, RM10,000 at the Appeals Court and RM10,000 at the Federal Court,” he said.

Mat Sabu and Mustafa were represented by counsel Hanipa Maidin.

- Bernama