April 14 Verdict On Shafee S Award For Defamation Suit Against Bar

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Lawyer Shafee Abdullah is seeking RM2 million in damages in his defamation suit against the Malaysian Bar.
PETALING JAYA: The Kuala Lumpur High Court has fixed April 14 for its decision on the quantum of damages in lawyer Shafee Abdullah’s defamation lawsuit against the Malaysian Bar for its pursuit of a motion to censure him during the 2015 annual general meeting (AGM).
Justice Ahmad Shahrir Salleh set the date after hearing the closing arguments from both parties today.
In his closing submissions today, Shafee said the Bar’s actions had “ruined” his reputation and livelihood, The Edge reported.
He added that the Bar had violated its statutory duty and caused him to lose opportunities in taking on other cases due to his involvement in this litigation.
However, Andrew Chiew, representing the Bar, told the court that Shafee had taken many high-profile cases since then, adding that there was no evidence to prove that the prominent lawyer’s reputation was impacted.
Shafee had testified as a witness on his own behalf during the 2023 hearing to assess damages.
The lawyer had sought RM2 million in damages in his lawsuit against the Bar.
In 2015, lawyers Tommy Thomas and VC George filed a motion to condemn Shafee’s conduct “in the strongest terms” before lodging a complaint to the Bar’s disciplinary board.
Thomas and George claimed Shafee had violated the legal profession’s rules which prohibit lawyers from seeking publicity for themselves.
The motion was tabled after Shafee attended and spoke at a “roadshow” to discuss a Federal Court judgment that saw PKR president Anwar Ibrahim sentenced to five years in prison for sodomy.
Anwar subsequently received a royal pardon shortly after Pakatan Harapan came into power in 2018. He presently holds the office of prime minister.
Shafee’s suit was initially dismissed by the High Court in 2016. The ruling was upheld by the Court of Appeal in 2018.
However, the Federal Court allowed Shafee’s appeal in 2021 and ordered the lower court to conduct an assessment of damages. - FMT

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