Akmal Nasir denies defaming Jamil Khir over Yapeim funds

National Oversight and Whistleblowers (NOW) director Akmal Nasir has denied defaming Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom over allegations of misappropriation of funds in the Malaysian Islamic Economic Development Foundation (Yapeim) to finance his trip abroad.

In his statement of defence made available to the media today, Akmal said his statements over the funds were published on an occasion of qualified privilege as the words uttered by him raised issues of public concern and interest.

Akmal, in the statement filed yesterday, said that as a member of the public, he was under a moral and social duty to communicate the words complained of and the public at large had a corresponding and legitimate interest in receiving the information.

He said the words uttered by him constituted an expression of opinion and fair comment on a matter of public interest and that the statements were true in substance and fact.

On Nov 19, Jamil Khir sued Akmal (or Nasrullah Mohd Akmal Mohd Nasir), who is Johor PKR publicity chief, for defaming him when giving statements to the media and on the NOW website on Nov 13.

The High Court has set Jan 12 for case management.

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