Court sets ultimatum for blogger to respond to Dr Rais’ defamation suit

By M Mageswari, The Star

KUALA LUMPUR: The High Court has given a blogger until June 2 to respond to a defamation suit filed by Information, Communications and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim against him.

Judicial Commissioner Amelia Tee Hong Geok Abdullah gave blogger Abdul Mutalib Mohamed Daud the ultimatum after meeting Dr Rais’s lead counsel, Sahabudin Shaik Alaudin, in chambers Monday.

Speaking to the media later, Dr Rais’ co-counsel Norhani Nordin said: “We have advertised a copy of the suit and pasted a copy of the lawsuit at the blogger’s last known address in Sabah but did not get any response.

“If he fails to enter his appearance, we can enter judgment in the suit against him,” Norhani added.

Dr Rais filed his documents on March 10 to initiate the substitute service through advertisement and also pasted a copy of the lawsuit at the High Court notice board.

He is suing Abdul Mutalib for defamation over allegations that the minister had raped his maid.

In his suit, Dr Rais said Abdul Mutalib had published four defamatory articles in the Sabahkini weblog on Jan 1, 3, 5 and 7 with the minister’s photograph and false words which were malicious, implying he was of unchaste behaviour and loose morals.

Rais is applying to get an injunction compelling the defendant to remove the defamatory articles of him from the blog.