Anwar wins suit against Utusan

Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today won his defamation suit against Utusan Melayu (M) Berhad and its chief editor Datuk Abdul Aziz Ishak for publishing two articles on his interview with BBC on homosexuality laws.

In his decision, High Court judge Datuk VT Singham decided that the two articles published by the newspaper contained slanderous elements. The articles Anwar aimed to defame Anwar’s reputation by portraying that he is not fit to become a leader.

Singham also found that the defendants failed to prove justification by not presenting evidence that they’re intention was not to defame Anwar and had also failed in carrying their professional duties as journalists.

The judge also said that nowhere in the BBC interview did Anwar say he promoted gay and lesbian rights.

Singham said that the defendants could have at least apologise or seek an explanation regarding the article but instead chose to ignore Anwar’s demand for an apology.

On Jan 20, last year Anwar filed a defamation suit seeking RM50 million worth of damages for two articles that were published in Utusan Malaysia’s front page and page 10 on 17 January 2012.

The front page article’s title was “Tolak Anwar – Hasan” (Reject Anwar – Hasan), taken from former Selangor Pas’ commissioner Datuk Dr Hasan Ali.

Singham set Feb 15 for case management to assess the damages to be awarded.