IGP gets injunction against Papagomo for defamatory statements

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Razarudin Husain today succeeded in his application to prevent blogger Wan Muhammad Azri Wan Deris from issuing defamatory statements against him pending the disposal of his suit.

High Court judicial commissioner Gan Techiong, in allowing the inter-parte injunction application by Razarudin, ordered Azri, who goes by Papagomo, to pay costs of RM10,000.

Gan set Jan 20 for case management of the suit. Razarudin filed the RM3 million lawsuit against Azri (above) on Dec 26 last year. It was for allegedly defaming him, whereby the alleged defamatory remarks also mentioned Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

In allowing Razarudin’s application, the court issued an injunction prohibiting Azri or his representative from publishing or posting defamatory statements on all social media platforms directed at Razarudin pending the disposal of the suit.

The court also issued an injunction prohibiting and preventing Azri or his representative from publishing or causing the re-publishing of statements, videos, status, comments, or any form of reference to the plaintiff.

The statements, videos, status, and comments are about Razarudin’s position as IGP and in his personal capacity, in writing and verbally, either online on social media platforms or through short messaging applications such as Telegram and WhatsApp.

Azri was also ordered to withdraw and delete the publication of his video broadcasts on YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, Telegram, and X, dated Dec 14, 15, 20, and 22 last year which contained defamatory statements against Razarudin.

Earlier, lawyer S Raam Kumar, representing Razarudin, told the court that the notice of application for the ex-parte injunction, the affidavit, and the letter regarding the inter-parte injunction hearing were submitted to Azri on Jan 3.

“In the letter, it was informed that today is the hearing of the inter-parte injunction application in this court, but there is no appearance by the defendant or his lawyer,” said Raam.

Meanwhile, Gan said a law firm, Law Practice of Rafique, had informed the court earlier that it would represent Azri and instructed Raam to contact the law firm’s office before adjourning the proceeding for an hour.

However, Gan ordered the proceeding to continue after Raam informed that he called the law firm’s office 10 times, but his calls went unanswered.

In Razarudin’s suit, the police chief seeks damages for oral and written defamation, as well as general, aggravated, or exemplary and special damages.

He is also seeking an injunction order to prevent Azri, his agent or any other party, from issuing defamatory statements and words in addition to publishing or causing the re-publication of the defamatory statements.

- Bernama

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