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Tuesday 25 May 2010

July 1 set for Karpal's defamation suit against newspaper

The Star
KUALA LUMPUR: The High Court here has fixed July 1 for case management of Karpal Singh’s RM10mil defamation suit against Utusan Melayu (M) Bhd over an article on his comments on Islam.

Deputy Registrar Anisah Normah Muhammad Nor fixed the date in chambers after meeting with both parties at the court complex here yesterday.

Karpal, who is DAP national chairman, was represented by Sangeet Kaur Deo while M. Mohana Kumar appeared for Utusan Melayu.

Sangeet, who is also Karpal’s daughter, told reporters that the both parties still needed to decide on the issues to be tried in the case.

Karpal, a lawyer himself, is suing Utusan Melayu over an article in its Malay-language newspaper Utusan Malaysia dated Aug 25, 2008.

He claimed that the article, titled “DAP Diingat Jangan Bakar Perasaan Melayu (DAP reminded not to inflame the sentiments of the Malays)”, contained defamatory words which were understood to mean that he was a politician bent on creating ill-will among the different communities.

Karpal, who is also the Bukit Gelugor MP, claimed that the alleged defamatory words were false and malicious and were meant to ruin his professional and political careers.

He is seeking RM10mil in damages, interest, costs and other forms of relief deemed fit by the court.

In its statement of defence, Utusan Melayu said Karpal had accepted an apology published in the newspaper after the article appeared.

Another High Court also fixed June 11 to give its decision on whether Karpal Singh needs to enter his defence in the sedition trial involving the Perak Sultan.

Justice Azman Abdullah set the date after hearing submissions from both parties yesterday.

Karpal is charged under Section 4(1) of the Sedition Act with allegedly uttering seditious words against the Perak Sultan at his legal firm Messrs Karpal Singh & Co in Jalan Pudu Lama on Feb 6.

He is alleged to have said that the removal of Datuk Seri MohamadNizar Jamaluddin as Perak Mentri Besar and the appointment of Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir by the Sultan could be questioned in a court of law.

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