SUNGAI Besar Umno division chief Datuk Seri Jamal Md Yunos failed to avoid paying RM300,000 in defamation damages to Seputeh MP Teresa Kok in his final appeal.
A three-member Federal Court panel, led by Sabah and Sarawak Chief Judge Rahman Sebli, said that the two legal questions posed by Jamal to obtain leave for an appeal lacked merit.
Rahman said the questions did not meet the requirements outlined in Section 96 of the Courts of Judicature Act 1964.
To be granted leave, an applicant must demonstrate to the apex court that the proposed appeal involves new legal or constitutional questions of significant public interest being raised for the first time.
The decision means Jamal will now have to cede the RM300,000 he deposited for the appeal to Kok.
Lawyer SN Nair and Jaden Phoon represented Kok, who is a DAP national vice-chairman, while counsel Rejinder Singh appeared for Jamal.
On March 27, a three-member Court of Appeal panel upheld a high court ruling that found Jamal liable for defaming Kok and ordered him to pay her RM300,000 in damages.
In July 2022, Kok, who is also a former primary industries minister, was awarded RM300,000 in damages after winning a defamation suit against Jamal. She filed the suit on April 6, 2017 against Jamal for allegedly accusing her of misusing Yayasan Warisan Anak Selangor funds.
She had sought RM1 million in general damages, compensatory damages, aggravated damages and exemplary damages, and an injunction to prevent Jamal from further making such claims in the media. – The Vibes, July 30, 2024
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