Court strikes out Jamil Khir's lawsuit against NOW director
Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom said Akmal's statement implied that he was untrustworthy, a politician who misappropriated orphans' funds and had abused his power. - Filepic
The High Court here today granted National Oversight and Whistleblowers (NOW) director Akmal Nasir's application to strike out Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom's defamation suit against him.
Justice Datuk Nor Bee Ariffin in chambers, held that the court was bound by the decision of the Court of Appeal in the defamation suit by Pahang Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakob against Utusan Melayu (M) Bhd.
The Court of Appeal in the case had ruled that a person holding public position may not institute any civil action in his official capacity.
Akmal's lawyer Razlan Hadri Zulkefli told the media when met that the court had also ordered Jamil Khir to pay RM3,000 costs.
Meanwhile, Jamil Khir's lawyer Adnan Seman confirmed the court's decision and said he would discuss with his client whether to file an appeal.
On Nov 19, 2015, Jamil Khir sued Akmal, alleging slander through a media statement and posting in Now's website on Nov 13m 2015, with regard to Yayasan Pembangunan Ekonomi Islam Malaysia (YaPEIM) funds.
The minister claimed Akmal's statement that RM410,978 to RM590,000 of YaPEIM's funds had been utilised for overseas trips, golf outings and trips to shopping centres had disparaged him.
He said Akmal's statement implied that he was untrustworthy, a politician who misappropriated orphans' funds and had abused his power.
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