KEDAH Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor today succeeded in his defamation suit against Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail over remarks alleging financial mismanagement and theft of rare earth elements (REE).
Saifuddin had previously alleged that Sanusi was involved in the theft of REE and the misappropriation of federal funds allocated under the Malaysian Road Records Information System (Marris).
Alor Setar High Court Judge Dr John Lee Kien How @ Mohamad Johan Lee ordered Saifuddin to pay RM600,000 in damages and RM70,000 in legal costs to Sanusi.
The suit arose from two statements made by Saifuddin during the Kedah state election campaign in July 2023 made at the Unity Tour Programme and the launch of the Kedah Unity Machinery event in Guar Chempedak, Yan.
A permanent injunction and an undertaking not to repeat the defamatory remarks were also imposed.
On Aug 7, 2023, Sanusi filed a defamation suit against Saifuddinon Aug 7, 2023 for allegedly linking him to the theft of REE and misuse of federal funds earmarked for road maintenance projects.
He said statements made by Saifuddin the month before had tarnished his reputation as a political leader.
The court also ordered Saifuddin to publish an apology in one Malay-language and one English-language newspaper within 14 days, with the terms of the apology subject to Sanusi's approval. – August 24, 2025
