Rafizi told to enter defence in defamation case

KUALA LUMPUR: PKR vice-president Rafizi Ramli has been ordered by a magistrate’s court here to enter his defence on a charge of publishing a libellous statement against Tabung Haji two years ago.

Magistrate Umzarul An-Nur Umar made the order after finding the prosecution had succeeded in establishing a prima facie case against Rafizi, after hearing the testimonies of three witnesses in a trial that started on Aug 22.

Umzarul An-Nur set three days from Nov 27 for the former Pandan MP to enter his defence.

DPPs Jaizah Jaafar Sidek and Nadia Zulkefli appeared for the prosecution while Rafizi was represented by counsel Nik Zarith Nik Moustpha.

Rafizi is accused of uploading a link to an article titled “Analisa Kewangan Tabung Haji 2009-2015” (Financial analysis of Tabung Haji 2209-2015) on his Facebook account on Feb 9, 2016, which allegedly contained a libellous statement against Tabung Haji that could ruin its reputation.

He was charged under Section 500 of the Penal Code and faces a maximum two years’ imprisonment, a fine, or both upon conviction. — Bernama