THE High Court here today ruled that Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail defamed Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Mohd Nor in 2023, over remarks linking him to the theft of rare earth elements (REE) and alleged misuse of the Malaysian Road Records Information System (MARRIS) funds.
Judge Dr John Lee Kien How and Mohamad Johan Lee ordered Saifuddin to pay RM600,000 in general damages and RM70,000 in costs to Sanusi.
The court also directed Saifuddin to issue a public apology in both Malay and English newspapers within 14 days, with the content subject to Sanusi’s approval.
In his decision, the judge found that Saifuddin’s remarks, including the use of the word “thief,” carried a criminal implication.
“The court found that the word ‘thief’ carried a criminal implication in the statement. The entire statement began with the imagery of ongoing police operations to arrest REE thieves,” said the judge.
“The court also found that the MARRIS statement referred to the plaintiff. The defamatory meaning of the phrase ‘violating all government financial governance’ clearly imputed that the plaintiff had committed financial mismanagement, which the defendant reinforced by citing the Auditor-General in his remarks,” he said.
The court further upheld an injunction preventing Saifuddin or his agents from repeating the defamatory remarks.
Sanusi, represented by lawyers Wan Rohimi Wan Daud, Yusfarizal Yussof, Mohd Faizi Che Abu, and Nur Iffah Hizwani Omar, filed the lawsuit on August 3, 2023.
He alleged Saifuddin had, during speeches in Pulau Pinang and Kedah in July 2023, falsely accused him and Menteri Besar Incorporated of stealing REE in Kampung Chong, Sik, and misappropriating MARRIS funds. —Aug 24, 2025
Main image: Bernama
