Shariah Chief Judge Lokman Settle Defamation Suit

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Shariah chief judge Mohd Na’im Mokhtar (left) claimed that Lokman Noor Adam had made disparaging remarks against him in connection with a sexual harassment case.KUALA LUMPUR: A defamation suit brought by shariah chief judge Mohd Na’im Mokhtar against Lokman Noor Adam, who had allegedly made disparaging remarks against him in connection with a sexual harassment case, has been settled out of court.
This follows a consent judgment recorded before High Court judge Rozana Ali Yusoff in an online proceeding today.
Naim’s lawyer, Akberdin Abdul Kader, said Lokman, a former Umno Supreme Council member, had tendered an apology and regrets as he was “misinformed” by a third party and did not verify with the plaintiff.
He has also agreed not to repeat the offending statements.
“The other terms and conditions of the settlement cannot be disclosed as agreed by both parties,” Akberdin told FMT.
Na’im and Lokman were present during the proceeding.
Lawyer Mohd Rafie Shafie also appeared with Akberdin for Na’im, while counsel Logen Eskander and Nur Fazilah Jaafar represented Lokman.
Logen confirmed in a text message to FMT what transpired during the proceeding.
Lokman had claimed that Na’im had been implicated in several sexual harassment cases, including one where he was said to be lying nude in a bedroom of a woman’s home.
Na’im, who is also the shariah judiciary department director-general, had filed a lawsuit against Lokman, claiming that he had made disparaging remarks against him on Facebook and YouTube.
On Jan 20, Rozana ordered Lokman to remove all the said defamatory postings uploaded on his Facebook and YouTube accounts within 24 hours of allowing an ex parte injunction application by Na’im.
Na’im had said the statements implied that he was a “spiritual opportunist”, had failed to be a credible leader or set a good example for the community, and tarnished the good image of the shariah judiciary department.
He said he had lodged a police report on Jan 12 to deny the claim by the woman, said to be a “Datin”, and against Lokman over his posting of the videos.
Naim sought RM30 million in general, exemplary and aggravated damages. - FMT

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