KUALA LUMPUR: Pandan MP Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli has been ordered to file his statement of defence in response to a defamation suit brought by influencer Caprice.
The suit concerns four videos uploaded on the former economy minister's social media platforms, which allegedly contain defamatory statements against Caprice, whose real name is Ariz Ramli.
The videos relate to Caprice's claims of alleged corruption amounting to RM2.5bil linked to the National Energy Transition Roadmap (NETR) project.
Caprice's counsel, Mohd Rezan Ezra, said that during case management via e-review on Wednesday (March 25), High Court senior assistant registrar Nur Shasha Hidayah Nor Azahar directed Rafizi, as the defendant, to file his statement of defence on or before April 9.
"Caprice is required to file his reply to the defence on or before April 30, with further case management fixed for May 13," he said when contacted.
He said Rafizi had been served with the writ through his solicitors and has since filed a memorandum of appearance.
The proceedings on Wednesday were also attended by counsel Edmund Choi, who appeared for Rafizi.
On Feb 26, Caprice filed the suit against Rafizi, alleging that the Pandan MP had made defamatory statements in four videos uploaded on his Instagram, X and TikTok accounts under the usernames "rafiziramli929" and "rafiziramli".
He claims that the statements in the videos, among others, suggest that he had conspired with unknown parties to fabricate and disseminate false allegations of corruption.
He further contends that the statements are defamatory, have damaged his reputation, and portray him as untrustworthy in matters of public interest.
Caprice is seeking RM10mil in special damages for loss of income, as well as general, exemplary and aggravated damages, in addition to interest and costs.
He is also seeking an apology from the defendant and an injunction compelling the removal of the videos from his social media platforms. - Bernama
