RM1.35mil Fine for Muhyiddin Over Lim Defamation
Muhyiddin Yassin faces RM1.35 million penalty after court finds statements on Lim Guan Eng and tax exemption unfounded.
High Court Imposes RM1.35 Million Fine
KUALA LUMPUR: Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, former Malaysian Prime Minister, has been ordered to pay RM1.35 million in defamation damages to Lim Guan Eng after making allegedly inaccurate statements about Yayasan Al-Bukhary’s tax status.
Court Findings on Neglect of Verification
High Court Judicial Commissioner Roz Mawar Rozain found Lim’s case compelling, concluding that Muhyiddin could have easily verified the information yet chose to continue his claims despite being corrected. The judge criticized the racially charged tone of Muhyiddin’s comments.
Penalty Details and Context
The court awarded RM1.35 million in damages, comprising general, aggravated, and exemplary damages, with RM50,000 in legal costs. Muhyiddin expressed intentions to appeal the ruling, maintaining his statements were non-defamatory and the damages awarded were excessive.
