The High Court in Kuala Lumpur today ordered lawyer Manjeet Singh Dhillon to pay costs of RM50,000 to Sistem Televisyen Malaysia Berhad (TV3) after finding no evidence that he had been defamed by the television station four years ago.

Justice Nor Bee Ariffin made the order after dismissing the lawyer's suit against the private television station.

She ruled that TV3 did not make any broadcast that defamed or insulted Manjeet Singh on Aug 16, 2011. It was in connection with a statement by former Padang Serai Member of Parliament N Gobalakrishnan which was broadcast by the television station.

However, she ordered Gobalakrishnan, former Utusan Malaysia journalist Raja Syahrir Abu Bakar, and Utusan Melayu (M) Berhad to pay damages totalling RM350,000 to the lawyer.

She also ordered Gobalakrishnan to pay costs of RM50,000 to Manjeet Singh, and another RM50,000 in costs by Utusan Melayu and the journalist.

In her judgment, Nor Bee said there was no doubt that Gobalakrishnan had uttered the defamatory words during an interview by the media.

Based on that interview, she said Utusan published an article on Aug 17, 2011, with the title ‘Manjeet selalu burukkan kerajaan’ (Manjeet always disparages the government) and that the article could tarnish Manjeet Singh's reputation as he was then representing N Pathmanabhan, an accused in the murder of cosmetic millionaire Sosilawati Lawiya.

She said Gobalakrishnan, Raja Syahrir, and Utusan Melayu failed to prove there was justification, fair comment, and qualified privilege in their action.

Manjeet Singh had filed the RM2.5 million suit on Sept 26, 2011 in which he named Gobalakrishnan, Raja Syahrir Abu Bakar, Utusan Melayu, and TV3 as the defendants.

In the statement of claim, the lawyer said Gobalakrishnan gave an interview to the media on Aug 16, in which he falsely made derogatory remarks against him and that Raja Syahrir had prepared a report of the interview and published by Utusan Malaysia in its newspaper dated Aug 17, last year with reckless disregard to the truth of the contents.

He said a substantial part of the entire interview was broadcast by TV3 on Aug 16.

- Bernama