PUTRAJAYA: The Court of Appeal has reserved its decision in the appeal by Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail against the Alor Setar High Court decision that ordered him to pay RM600,000 in damages to Kedah Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor for defamation over allegations of stolen rare earth elements (REE) and misappropriated funds allocated under the Malaysian Road Records Information System (MARRIS).
A three-judge panel chaired by Justice Azhahari Kamal Ramli deferred the decision after hearing submissions from lawyers Razlan Hadri Zulkifli, who appeared for Saifuddin Nasution, and Yusfarizal Yussoff who represented Muhammad Sanusi.
“We have fixed Oct 16 for case management to set a date to deliver the decision,” said Justice Azhahari.
Other judges on the panel were Justices Ong Chee Kwan and Mohd Radzi Harun.
On Aug 24, 2025, the Alor Setar High Court allowed Muhammad Sanusi’s suit against Saifuddin Nasution after finding the latter liable for defamation.
The court awarded Muhammad Sanusi RM600,000 in global damages, comprising general, aggravated and exemplary damages, and RM70,000 in costs.
Muhammad Sanusi filed the lawsuit against Saifuddin Nasution in August 2023.
He claimed that on July 14, 2023, the defendant had spoken to the press after an official event in Penang and made the MARRIS statement, alleging, in substance, that the plaintiff had used funds allocated under MARRIS, which are statutorily earmarked for road maintenance, for development purposes.
The Jeneri MP said that on July 15, 2023, during an election ceramah at Padang Awam, Guar Chempedak, Yan, the defendant made the statement, alleging that the plaintiff had stolen rare earth elements (REE).
