Sanusi wins defamation case, Saifuddin to pay RM670k

The Alor Setar High Court has found Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail liable for defaming Kedah Menteri Besar Sanusi Nor in 2023.

This is over the home minister’s remarks about Sanusi (above, left) on rare earth mining in Kedah and Putrajaya’s allocation under the Malaysian Road Records Information System (Marris).

In his verdict, judge John Lee Kien How @ Mohamad Johan Lee ordered Saifuddin to pay Sanusi RM600,000 in general damages and RM70,000 in costs.

He also ordered Saifuddin to publish an apology in two dailies - one Malay and the other English - within 14 days, with terms pre-approved by the plaintiff.

An injunction was also imposed, barring the defendant from repeating the allegations.

Sanusi sued Saifuddin over the latter’s remarks linking the former to the alleged theft of rare earth elements (REE) in Bukit Enggang, Sik, Kedah.

The PAS leader also sued Saifuddin over remarks on the RM1.6 billion federal funding for Marris.

‘Pencuri’

Saifuddin made the statements on two occasions in 2023- during a press conference at a Home Ministry event at the Penang contingent police headquarters on July 14, and a speech during a Jelajah Perpaduan Madani programme at Guar Chempedak, Yan, Kedah, on July 15.

According to Berita Harian, the judge stated:

“The court found that the word ‘pencuri’ (thief) imparted a criminal impact to the statement. The entire statement began with the image of an ongoing police operation to arrest perpetrators of REE theft.

“The court found that the Marris statement referred to the plaintiff. The defamatory meaning of the phrase ‘menyalahi semua tata kelola kewangan kerajaan’ (violating all financial governance) clearly implied that the plaintiff had committed financial misconduct, which the defendant reinforced by citing the auditor-general in his statement.”

Lawyers Wan Rohimi Wan Daud, Yusfarizal Yussof, Faizi Che Abu, and Nur Iffah Hizwani Omar represented Sanusi.

Saifuddin’s counsel included Navpreet Singh, William Leong, and Sakina Siraj.

Minister to appeal

In an immediate response, Saifuddin said he will file an appeal against the verdict.

“After reviewing the judgment with my legal team, I firmly believe there are strong legal grounds for appeal.

“I have therefore instructed my solicitors to immediately file an appeal at the Court of Appeal,” he stated.

The minister also confirmed he would seek a stay of execution of the ruling pending the outcome of the appeal process.

Saifuddin emphasised his commitment to legal principles, saying, “As someone who respects the rule of law, I believe the nation’s judicial system will provide a fair opportunity for me to present my arguments and defend the truth.”

He also defended his original statements as being made in the public interest, adding: “I will continue to uphold the principle that transparency, integrity, and accountability are fundamental to democratic practice.”

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