High Court orders TV3 to pay RM200,000 to Nizar Jamaluddin

The High Court here today ordered Sistem Televisyen Malaysia Berhad (TV3) to pay RM200,000 in damages to former Perak menteri besar Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin.

The case pertained to Mohammad Nizar's Twitter statement about the "WWW1" vehicle registration number, which was carried by TV3 in its Buletin Utama on May 30, 2012.

Deputy registrar Hanie Dzatul Akhmar Zulkefli made the order in chambers, during which the plaintiff was represented by counsel Mohd Fitri Asmuni and TV3, by counsel Lim Qi Si.

Mohd Fitri told reporters later that the court set the amount based on Mohammad Nizar's former position as Perak menteri besar and Perak state legislative assembly opposition leader.

He said the court also found that TV3 had failed to practise responsible journalism in broadcasting the news.

On Feb 24, the federal court ruled that there was no bias in the court of appeal's decision to find TV3 liable for disparaging Mohammad Nizar.

Mohammad Nizar filed a RM50 million suit against the television station alleging that the defendant had disparaged him by twisting his comments about the "WWW1" bid that was successfully won by the Sultan of Johor for RM520,000 in May 2012.

He named TV3 and its Buletin Utama producer, Rohani Ngah as defendants.

On April 12, 2013, the High Court dismissed the Bukit Gantang member of parliament and former Pasir Panjang assemblyman's case; he resorted to the Court of Appeal, which ruled in his favour.

On Feb 25, 2014, the Court of Appeal remitted the case to the High Court for assessment of damages.

Meanwhile, Lim said he would seek his client's advice on whether to appeal against the judgement.