Zakir Naik Settles Defamation Suit Against Kula

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Zakir Naik had sued M Kula Segaran for defamation over a news article and press statements regarding the controversial preacher.KUALA LUMPUR: A defamation suit brought by controversial Muslim preacher Zakir Naik against former human resources minister M Kula Segaran has been resolved without a trial in the High Court.
Naik’s lawyer, Akberdin Abdul Kader, said a consent judgment was recorded before judicial commissioner Arief Emran Arifin in chambers.
“The settlement terms are to remain confidential between the parties,” he told FMT.
Sulaiman Abdullah and Rafie Mohd Shafie also represented Naik, who is a permanent resident staying in Putrajaya.
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Kula’s lawyer, K Shanmuga, confirmed the outcome.
Naik and Kula, who is also a DAP national vice-chairman and the Ipoh Barat MP, were present during the proceedings in chambers.
The suit against Kula was in connection with an FMT report titled “DAP: No reason for Malaysia to protect Zakir Naik”, published on April 17, 2017.
Naik also cited a press release by Kula on Aug 13, 2019 titled “Zakir Naik’s presence is embarrassing to all Malaysians”.
He sought compensation and damage claims from Kula, as well as a court injunction prohibiting him from publishing and distributing four defamatory news articles in any medium.
Naik also demanded an apology to be issued and published in newspapers and online news portals.
Kula, in his defence, pleaded justification, fair comment and qualified privilege.
Naik also filed defamation suits in 2019 against three other DAP leaders – Penang deputy chief minister P Ramasamy, Klang MP Charles Santiago and Bagan Dalam assemblyman Satees Muniandy. - FMT

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