Nalla liable for defamation in Anwar’s RM50mil suit

(The Star) – Malaysian United Indian Party president Datuk S. Nallakaruppan has been found liable of making defamatory statements against Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

The High Court also ordered Nallakaruppan to pay damages and costs to the Opposition leader.

Justice Su Geok Yiam made the ruling after hearing submissions by parties in chambers on Tuesday.

Anwar has applied to strike out the Nallakaruppan’s defence statement in his RM50mil defamation suit against Nallakaruppan.

Anwar was represented lead counsel Latheefa Koya while lead counsel Datuk Seri Dr Muhammad Shafee Abdullah acted for Nallakaruppan.

Speaking to reporters later, Latheefa said that Nallakaruppan’s defence statement was struck out and a judgment was entered against him over the liability.

She said Anwar applied to strike out the defence statement on grounds that Nallakaruppan failed to furnish further and better particulars over his allegations.

However, she said that Muhammad Shafee has told the judge that he wants to appeal against the court ruling.

In his lawsuit, Anwar said Nallakaruppan had caused the publication of defamatory articles in two Malay newspapers titled Didakwa terima RM60mil (Alleged to have received RM60mil) and Anwar terima RM60juta (Anwar received RM60mil) on Aug 23, 2008.

Anwar sought for RM50mil incompensatory damages and an injunction to stop the defendant fromfurther defaming him.

In his statement of defence, Nallakaruppan admitted to have uttered those words which were published in both newspapers.