The Federal Court has granted Raub Australia Gold Mining Sdn Bhd (RAGM) leave for their final appeal in their defamation suit against activist Hue Shieh Lee.

This follows RAGM's posting of a RM30,000 security deposit to the court, required because the company is currently in the process of liquidation.

The Federal Court bench, led by Chief Justice Md Raus Sharif, unanimously ruled that there were merits in RAGM's application for appeal, and that four questions posed to the court would be allowed.

The panel also comprised Chief Judge of Malaya Ahmad Maarop and Justice Balia Yusof Wahi.

Raus, however, rejected RAGM’s application to have the security deposit returned.

RAGM was represented by Cecil Abraham, while Gurdial Singh Nijar (right in photo above) acted for Hue.

RAGM filed a defamation suit against Hue in 2013. Hue was among several activists who were campaigning against the firm's gold mine in Bukit Koman, Pahang, which purportedly used cyanide as part of the gold extraction process.

The High Court in Kuala Lumpur ruled against RAGM in May last year, followed by the Court of Appeal dismissing their appeal five months later.

The gold mine is also appealing against another High Court decision in favour of online portal Malaysiakini.

High Court judge Rosnaini Saub last year dismissed the company's claim against Malaysiakini and three other defendants, who are members of the news portal's editorial team, over the publication of three articles and two videos on Bukit Koman villagers' opposition to the gold mine.

The Court of Appeal is withholding the decision for the case.