Mediation Fails In Waytha Moorthy S Defamation Suit Against Ibrahim Ali

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Former minister Waytha Moorthy is suing over a speech by Perkasa president Ibrahim Ali in 2018.KUALA LUMPUR: A mediation effort has failed to reach a settlement in a defamation suit filed by former minister P Waytha Moorthy against Parti Bumiputera Perkasa Malaysia president Ibrahim Ali. The suit will now proceed to a court hearing in September.
Lawyer Muhammad Afiq Qiwamuddin Mustapha Shakri, representing Ibrahim, said no settlement was reached by the two sides and the suit would proceed to trial on Sept 20 to 23 before Judicial Commissioner Latifah Mohd Tahar, Bernama reported.
Waytha Moorthy, 54, filed the suit against Ibrahim, 70, over a speech Ibrahim made at a party meeting on Dec 2, 2018.
In his statement of claim, Waytha Moorthy said on the day of the speech an article was published by Malay Mail Online entitled “At Perkasa AGM, enraged Ibrahim Ali calls Waytha Moorthy a pig” which had gone viral on social media platforms, including Facebook, WhatsApp and Twitter.
Waytha Moorthy claimed that Ibrahim had said those slanderous words to insult, demean, humiliate and expose him to hatred, contempt and ridicule in public, with the intention of applying pressure on the government to remove him from the Cabinet.
He alleged that he had suffered a loss in trust and reputation as a national leader, as well as a minister for national unity and social well-being, and that his personal authority and reputation were affected.
Ibrahim’s lawyer said the defence will be calling four witnesses, including Ibrahim while only Waytha Moorthy as the plaintiff, will testify. “But it is subject to any addition of witnesses depending on the necessity,” Afiq said.
He said the mediation process was conducted online before High Court deputy registrar Ahmad Solihin Abd Wahid. - FMT

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