Lokman Ordered To File Defence Today Over Ismail S Defamation Suit

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Former Umno Supreme Council member Lokman Noor Adam had earlier been given until today to file his defence to Ismail Sabri Yaakob’s suit. (Bernama pic)KUALA LUMPUR: The High Court here ordered former Umno Supreme Council member Lokman Noor Adam to file his defence today in response to a defamation suit filed by Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
Lawyer Joshua Tan, representing the caretaker prime minister, said Ismail has been given until Oct 25 to reply to Lokman’s defence.
In an earlier proceeding, Lokman was given until today to file his defence.
“The court has fixed case management on Nov 25,” said senior assistant registrar Haleez Hasnan after an online proceeding.
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On Sept 12, Ismail had obtained an ex parte injunction against Lokman for him to take down an offensive video from his social media accounts pending the disposal of the suit.
An inter partes hearing will be held on Nov 29.
Ismail had filed the suit against Lokman on Sept 8 over a video titled “Bila Presiden Umno panggil Tak Datang! Tapi PM Ada Masa Jumpa Mahathir – Lokman Adam”.
In his statement of claim, Ismail said Lokman uploaded the video on his TikTok, Instagram, YouTube and Facebook accounts on Aug 22, which he contended was defamatory, untrue and malicious.
Lokman, among others, claimed that Ismail had met former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad and leaders of other political parties opposed to Umno in order to remain as prime minister and sideline the interest of his own party, Umno.
He claimed that Ismail had offered to appoint Mukhriz Mahathir as deputy prime minister in return for Mahathir’s support.
Lokman also alleged that Ismail abused his power to stop the prosecution of former Bank Negara Malaysia governor Zeti Akhtar Aziz and fugitive businessman Low Taek Jho.
He also alleged that Ismail had interfered to ensure that former prime minister Najib Razak was convicted and jailed.
Ismail said the allegations in the video lowered his reputation among Umno members and had caused him mental and emotional stress.
He said a letter of demand was sent to Lokman on Aug 25 to take down the video, but he refused to do so and also declined to offer an apology.
Ismail is seeking damages and other reliefs deemed fit by the court.
On Sept 1, Lokman, 49, was also charged in the sessions court with two counts of making and initiating the transmission of offensive communications against Ismail and the government.
He pleaded not guilty to both charges over the postings allegedly made through Facebook using the profile name “Lokman Noor Adam Official” with the intention of annoying others.
The charges, framed under Section 233(1)(a) of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 and punishable under Section 233(3) of the same law, provides a maximum fine of RM50,000 or up to one year in jail, and a further fine of RM1,000 for each day the offence continues after conviction. - FMT

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