Defamation: Pay up or risk bankruptcy notice, Mahfuz warns Sanusi

Kedah Pakatan Harapan chairperson Mahfuz Omar has asked Menteri Besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor to pay the compensation awarded in a defamation suit or risk having a bankruptcy notice filed against him.

The Amanah politician said he will speak to his lawyer about the next course of action on the matter.

“We can file a bankruptcy notice against him (Sanusi) or confiscate his property," Berita Harian quoted Mahfuz (above, left) telling a press conference.

Last month, the Court of Appeal ordered Sanusi to pay RM120,000 in damages, and RM10,000 in legal costs to Mahfuz, after losing a defamation suit the latter filed against him.

After the payment was not settled past the deadline, which is 14 days from the day of the judgment on April 3, Mahfuz said he was mulling filing a cross-appeal to double the damages to RM240,000.

No lawyers needed for payment

The former Pokok Sena MP said Sanusi's excuse of wanting to refer to his lawyer on the matter is not relevant as the compensation is already more than two weeks overdue.

"If Sanusi wants to transfer the money to my account, he can do so and share the receipt with me via WhatsApp, and apologise over the matter. That's all.

"There is no longer the need for lawyer-to-lawyer dealing," he added.

On Oct 9, 2019, Mahfuz filed a suit against Sanusi over a post uploaded on the PAS lawmaker’s Facebook which linked Mahfuz to the opening of a Sports Toto gambling outlet in Pokok Sena, Kedah.

In November 2021, the High Court upheld the suit and ordered Sanusi to pay the damages. He then filed an appeal to the Court of Appeal to set aside the High Court decision but was dismissed.

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