KUALA LUMPUR: The High Court here today dismissed Pasir Salak MP Tajuddin Abdul Rahman’s defamation suit against Amanah’s Khalid Samad and two news outlets.
Tajuddin had sued Khalid, KiniTV and New Straits Times Press Bhd (NSTP) over a series of press conferences in 2016 after he made reference to Seputeh MP Teresa Kok as “the woman with a ‘Kok’” at a Dewan Rakyat debate.
Khalid, who is Shah Alam MP, responded to the comment by calling Tajuddin “sial” (“unlucky” or “cursed”).
After the debate, Khalid held a press conference, where he stood by his remark and questioned Tajuddin’s behaviour.
Judicial commissioner Latifah Mohd Tahar ruled today that Khalid’s remark against Tajuddin was not defamatory.
“The suit is dismissed with cost,” she said.
Besides the Nov 21, 2016 press conference, Tajuddin also claimed that Khalid defamed him on Nov 24 that year after Khalid was attacked by a group of individuals from Pasir Salak in Parliament.
It was reported that the alleged suspects were Pasir Salak Umno members, and that they included Tajuddin’s son, Faisal.
Tajuddin also sued KiniTV for publishing a recording of Khalid’s press conference after the attack.
In her ruling, Latifah pointed out that Khalid’s “sial” remark was made after Tajuddin had uttered an “unparliamentary statement” at the senior DAP politician.
“Looking at the chronology in totality, the controversy started when the plaintiff (Tajuddin) made sexist remarks against the Seputeh MP in the Dewan Rakyat.
“As an MP and former deputy minister, the remark was uncalled for and tarnished the parliamentary institution,” she added.
Tajuddin was represented by Hasnal Rezua Merican while SN Nair appeared for Khalid, Rueben Mathiavaranam represented NSTP and K Shanmuga represented KiniTV.