In RM60m defamation suit, Shafee cites Anwar’s convictions to show ‘low morals’
(Malay Mail Online) – Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah cited today the past criminal convictions of PKR de facto chief Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim as evidence of the latter’s allegedly low moral values and lack of a reputation that needed defending.
Today is the first day of hearing for PKR de facto leader Anwar’s RM60 million defamation lawsuit he filed against former PKR man Datuk S. Nallakaruppan almost seven years ago.
Shafee, who is representing Nallakaruppan, insisted Anwar’s previous conviction for corruption in the 1990s was relevant, as the former deputy prime minister had accused his client of defaming and painting him as an individual with “low moral values”.
“If I can show former convictions, the question of morals no longer becomes an issue because he was convicted once or twice,” Shafee told the judge, noting that defamation suits revolved around an individual’s character and reputation, unlike a criminal case where bad character may be an issue.
“When you sue, you put your reputation at stake; you put your reputation for the court to decide. Do you have a reputation?” he added.
The judge allowed the citation despite objection from Anwar’s legal team.
Shafee went on to cite Anwar’s acquittal in his first sodomy case, which prompted the latter’s lawyer, Latheefa Koya, to object as none of these were mentioned in Nallakaruppan’s defence statement.
This was also overruled, but the judge halted proceedings when Shafee attempted to cite Anwar’s conviction in a second sodomy case this year, which the lawyer helped secure as the lead prosecutor under fiat.
When met outside court, Latheefa agreed that Shafee’s citation of Anwar’s past convictions amounted to an ambush, contending that they were not relevant and “highly prejudicial” to her client.
The hearing before High Court judge Datuk Mohd Zaki Abdul Wahab resumes on May 21.
On August 25, 2008, Anwar sued Nallakaruppan over allegedly defamatory remarks in an article, “Anwar terima RM60 juta” (Anwar receives RM60 million) that was published in local papers Mingguan Malaysia and Sinar Harian.
In his witness statement tendered in court, Anwar claimed that Nallakaruppan had reportedly accused him of receiving RM60 million from gaming firm Magnum Corporation Bhd, alleging that it painted him as an individual unfit to be a political leader and as having done something immoral.
He also claimed that the remarks had gave Malaysians — especially Muslims— a bad perception towards him since gambling was forbidden in Islam.
