The High Court in Kuala Lumpur today ordered Sistem Televisyen Malaysia (TV3) to pay a total of RM1.1 million to PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim.

Justice Ahmad Zaidee Ibrahim found that TV3 had defamed Anwar in a 2013 Buletin Utama report that alleged he was the mastermind behind the Lahad Datu incursion.

"The court grants RM600,000 for general, and aggravated and exemplary damages of RM250,000 each," he said.

Zaidee also ordered TV3 to pay RM40,000 in costs.

The judge said the nature of the report is defamatory as the editor, Kamarudin Mape admitted in court that he did not verify with Anwar, and the judge described this as irresponsible journalism. 

He said that TV3 being adamant in its report, without verifying, despite Utusan Malaysia having expressed regret to Anwar over its own report which formed the basis for the television report, has resulted in the court to consider aggravated and exemplary damages to be awarded.

Justice Ahmad Zaidi said there was also malice in banners placed in the television report.

Anwar was represented by Ambiga Sreenevasan and Shahid Adli Kamarudin while Lim Qi Si appeared for TV3.

It was reported that Utusan had retracted its front page report in 2016 and expressed regret over its publication which was used as a basis for TV3's Buletin Utama news.

Anwar had filed the suit against Utusan Malaysia publisher Utusan Melayu Sdn Bhd, and TV3, in 2013, which claimed he was the mastermind behind the Lahad Datu incursion.