Oil subsidy issue: Najib, wife apply to strike out paragraphs in defence statement

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and his wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor today filed an application to strike out several paragraphs in the statement of defence of PKR vice-president Mohd Rafizi Ramli and another person in their defamation suit over the issue of oil subsidy.

Lawyer Choo Shi Jin, representing Najib and Rosmah, told this to reporters after the case came up for mention in the High Court here today.

The proceeding, held in chambers before Senior Assistant Registrar Nurdiana Mohd Nazari, was also attended by lawyer Ng Siau Sun, who represented Mohd Rafizi and 'Media Rakyat' portal owner Chan Chee Kong.

Choo said Najib and Rosmah applied to strike out the affected paragraphs on grounds that there were not fair comment.

The court had set Aug 26 for case management of the suit, he added.

Najib and Rosmah had filed the suit on April 16, claiming that Mohd Rafizi made a disparaging statement against them at a forum on oil subsidy in Bandar Tun Razak on Nov 22 last year.

They alleged that Mohd Rafizi's speech was recorded by Media Rakyat and uploaded by Chan or his assistant on Media Rakyat's YouTube and portal.

Najib and Rosmah further alleged that Chan had also shared the recording in Media Rakyat's Facebook account which could be freely accessed by Internet users worldwide.

They alleged that Chan had failed to practise responsible journalism by not verifying or investigating the authenticity of the accusations in the statement before posting them.

The couple are seeking general, aggravated and exemplary damages deemed fit by the court, interest and costs.

They are also seeking an injunction to stop Mohd Rafizi, Chan and their agents from further publishing the alleged defamatory words, and also or order for the two defendant to make a written public apology in the newspapers and magazines.