Court Orders Mahfuz To Pay Rm250k For Defaming Sanusi

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Kedah Menteri Besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor succeeded in his defamation suit against former Pokok Sena MP Mahfuz Omar over an allegation linked to the purchase of a Toyota Vellfire multipurpose vehicle (MPV) by Syarikat Air Darul Aman (Sada).
The Alor Setar High Court this morning ordered Amanah vice-president Mahfuz (above, left) to pay RM250,000 in damages to PAS leader Sanusi.
Back in 2020, Sanusi had threatened to file a defamation suit against Mahfuz and several political leaders over the allegation that the vehicle purchase was for personal use.
When contacted by Malaysiakini today, counsel Yusfarizal Yussoff and Muhammad Faiz Fadzil, who acted for Sanusi and Mahfuz respectively, confirmed the ruling by judge Arik Sanusi Yeok Johari.
Yusfarizal said the civil court allowed general damages of RM200,000 and exemplary damages of RM50,000.
The lawyer added that the court also ordered Mahfuz to pay RM30,000 in costs to Sanusi.
Faiz, however, said the court allowed Mahfuz’s bid for an interim stay on the ruling regarding payment of damages, pending the filing of a proper application for a stay of the order.
The lawyer said the stay is sought pending an appeal to the Court of Appeal.
The lawsuit was over a claim that Sanusi, who is also Sada chairperson, received a new black Toyota Vellfire with the number plate KEP 5000 for his use.
Bernama previously reported Sanusi rubbishing the allegation, whereby he explained that the purchase of the vehicle was done by the Sada Asset Acquisition Committee internally and following the set budget limit.
“It was my understanding that the vehicle in question would be part of the organisation’s vehicle pool, and available for the shared use of Sada’s board members and senior officials.
“I only use two official vehicles, namely a Volvo S90 and Mercedes S320 that were bought by former menteri besar Mukhriz Mahathir,” he said. - Mkini

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