THE Kuala Lumpur High Court here today ordered preacher Mohd Rasyiq Mohd Alwi to pay damages totaling RM2.5 million to former Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin after he was found liable for defamation regarding the COVID-19 vaccine issue.
Judge Datuk Raja Ahmad Mohzanuddin Shah Raja Mohzan made the order after allowing the claim filed by Khairy against Mohd Rasyiq, also known as Ustaz Abu Syafiq. The court also ordered Mohd Rasyiq to pay costs totaling RM50,000.
Khairy took the legal action in 2022 by accusing Mohd Rasyiq of spreading false claims that he was misleading the public about his vaccination status.
At the trial, the lawyer told the court that Mohd. Rasyiq posted the disputed statement on social media to mock Khairy, who is responsible for coordinating the country's Covid-19 vaccination program.
According to the lawyer, the preacher directly referred to Khairy in his statement, including quoting his social media account.
Abdul Rashid said that the preacher did not regret it, and even cynically 'apologised' to Khairy after the court documents were served on him.
Khairy claimed in the suit that Mohd. Rasyiq's statement undermined the government's efforts to contain Covid-19.
The case was earlier postponed following the death of Khairy's father-in-law, Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, 85, who was also the 5th Prime Minister at 7.10pm, April 14 at the National Heart Institute. – April 18, 2025
