Rosmah seeks RM1m in damages from TikToker

Summary

• Rosmah Mansor is seeking RM1 million in damages against a TikToker who allegedly uploaded a video claiming the former was linked to “bomoh” activities.

• The wife of former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak last year was granted judgment in default in her defamation suit against Ku Muhammad Hilmie Ku Din, who did not enter an appearance in the civil court.

Rosmah Mansor is seeking RM1 million in damages against the owner of a TikTok account who was alleged to have defamed her.

The wife of former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak made her case for damage assessment, following defendant Ku Muhammad Hilmie Ku Din never having responded in court against her defamation suit.

The Kuala Lumpur High Court on May 28 last year entered a judgment in default (JID) of appearance against the defendant, whose last known address is in Saujana Damansara, Petaling Jaya, Selangor.

The civil action was over a TikTok video uploaded on March 22, 2023, containing multiple allegations, among them that Rosmah committed a sin and that she was linked to “bomoh” activities. The video has since been taken down.

In her affidavit filed on Oct 10 last year, Rosmah is seeking RM1 million in damages on her contention that the video has damaged her reputation, among them as a patron of various charity organisations in Malaysia.

Among the listed charity bodies are Program Permata Pintar, Yayasan Harapan Kanak-Kanak Malaysia, Yayasan Pembangunan Anak Yatim/Miskin, Persatuan Orang-Orang Cacat Anggota Malaysia, Yayasan Orang Asli Semenanjung Malaysia, Persatuan Penjana Usahawan Wanita Malaysia, and Yayasan Kebajikan Atlet Kebangsaan.

According to the affidavit sighted by Malaysiakini, Rosmah, 72, contended that the TikTok video jeopardised her credibility, goodwill and reputation as a Muslim.

When contacted this afternoon, her counsel Mohamed Baharudeen Mohamed Ariff said the court has set May 27 for a hearing of damage assessment.

The hearing date was set following today's case management.

Through the lawsuit filed on Sept 19, 2022, Rosmah rubbished the allegation in the video as false, contending that the upload was done maliciously.

Under the law, a defendant is required to enter an appearance in the civil court within 14 days of being served copies of a lawsuit.

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