(SEAPA/IFEX) – The Center for Independent Journalism (CIJ), SEAPA’s local partner in Malaysia, has expressed concern that prominent dissident Anwar Ibrahim’s recent lawsuit award could undermine efforts to rationalise libel and defamation awards and endanger freedom of expression in the country. On 18 August 2005, the High Court awarded Anwar damages worth RM4.5 million (approx. […]
(SEAPA/IFEX) – The Center for Independent Journalism (CIJ), SEAPA’s local partner in Malaysia, has expressed concern that prominent dissident Anwar Ibrahim’s recent lawsuit award could undermine efforts to rationalise libel and defamation awards and endanger freedom of expression in the country.
On 18 August 2005, the High Court awarded Anwar damages worth RM4.5 million (approx. US$1.2 million) in a defamation suit against Khalid Jafri, author and publisher of the book “50 reasons why Anwar cannot be Prime Minister”.
In making his judgement, presiding High Court Judge Mohd Hishamudin Mohd Yunus indicated that while the judicial trend was to not award such large damages, he opined that the “facts and circumstances of this case are unique.” The court’s decision to break with the trend came in response to the “vicious and serious” nature of the accusations, the loss of reputation and income to Ibrahim and his family, and the author’s defiant refusal to apologise.
In a 21 August statement, CIJ welcomes the correction of injustice, but expressed concern about this reversal of the process of rationalising libel and defamation awards, initiated by a Federal Court decision on 14 August 2003.
“The threat of multi-million ringgit defamation lawsuits can significantly reinforce the prevailing culture of fear and self-censorship, further eroding freedom of expression in Malaysia,” according to the local media advocacy group.
The group also urged the court to review the amount of the award in accordance with the Defamation Act 1957.
