SEREMBAN: The High Court here has ordered the state government mouthpiece, Negeri Kita and its chief editor, Ahmad Shahir Mohd Shah, to pay RM200,000 in damages to Seremban PAS chief Rosmin Adam for defamation.
Rosmin's lawyer, Rafique Rashid, in a statement on Wednesday (June 24), said judge Wan Fadhilah Wan Idris also ordered the defendants to pay the plaintiff RM35,000 in costs.
"The court arrived at the decision after hearing the entirety of the witnesses' evidence, examining the documents tendered, submissions and legal authorities from both parties throughout the full trial.
"The court has decided that the publication being the subject of this action is defamatory against the plaintiff and that the defendant had failed to justify the publication through the defences raised," he said.
Rosmin had filed a RM1mil defamation lawsuit against the defendants over false accusations published by the newsletter in its second edition in 2024.
Rafique said that in the era of modern media and the rapid dissemination of information, freedom of expression is an important right that must be defended.
"However, that freedom must not be used as a license to publish statements that damage a person's reputation without a valid and responsible basis," he said.
Ahmad Shahir, who is also press secretary to Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun, in a statement said he respected the court's decision but would be filing an appeal.
"We are filing an appeal, as I believe there are facts and arguments that warrant reconsideration.
"I maintain my stance that the published report and the police report lodged were based on information believed to be true and made in the public interest, without any intention to defame any party," he added.
