Malaysiakini gets leave to appeal RAGM case judgment

PUTRAJAYA: The Federal Court here has granted leave to a news portal to appeal against a judgment which found it liable for defaming Raub Australian Gold Mine (RAGM).

Federal Court judge Justice Zainun Ali allowed the leave to appeal submitted by Malaysiakini yesterday.

In the unanimous decision, Justice Zainun, who sat with Justices Azahar Mohamed and Aziah Ali, said the questions of law posed to the apex court should focus on the defence of reportage and damages.

On Jan 11, the Court of Appeal found that the news portal had defamed RAGM through its articles and videos. The court said the portal’s reports were reckless, accusatory and damaging.

It ordered Malaysiakini to pay RM200,000 in damages as well as RM150,000 in legal costs to RAGM.