ALOR Setar High Court has ruled in favour of Kedah Menteri Besar (MB) Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor in a defamation suit against Amanah vice-president Datuk Mahfuz Omar.
The suit pertained to allegations regarding the purchase of a Toyota Vellfire multipurpose vehicle by Syarikat Air Darul Aman (Sada).
In the court’s decision, Mahfuz was ordered to pay RM250,000 in damages to Sanusi. The breakdown includes RM200,000 in general damages and RM50,000 in exemplary damages.
Additionally, Mahfuz is required to cover RM30,000 in costs.
The lawsuit originated from a claim suggesting that Sanusi, who also serves as Sada chairperson, received a new black Toyota Vellfire MPV with the number plate KEP 5000 for personal use.
Moreover, the Kedah MB countered the allegation, explaining that the vehicle’s purchase was conducted internally by the Sada Asset Acquisition Committee within 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 Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir,” Bernama quoted him as saying.
According to Malaysiakini, lawyers Yusarizal Yussoff and Muhammad Faiz Fadzil representing Sanusi and Mahfuz respectively, confirmed the the ruling by Judge Arik Sanusi Yeok Johari.
Yusarizal noted that the civil court allowed the specified damages, while Faiz revealed that an interim stay on the ruling for damages payment was granted pending an appeal to the Court of Appeal. – Jan 31, 2023
Main photo credit: The Vibes
