Of Libel & Slander

What is Libel & Slander?

Defamation may be a criminal or civil charge. It encompasses both written statements, known as libel, and spoken statements, called slander. English law allows actions for libel to be brought in the High Court for any published statements which are alleged to defame a named or identifiable individual or individuals in a manner which causes them loss in their trade or profession, or causes a reasonable person to think worse of him, her or them.

A public official or other plaintiff who has voluntarily assumed a position in the public eye must prove that defamatory statements were made with knowledge that they were false or with reckless disregard of whether they were false.

Now, someone who is currently away, is considering whether to proceed with legal recourse against the relevant parties concerning statements issued and news report made with regard to his previous official car's maintenance costs and the innuendos made pertaining to his previous administration due to the same.

Yes, IJ is NOT taking it lying down. It's about time; I do think so myself considering the shenanigans and mischievous politicking by some quarters against him. What legal action then? It could well be the above branch of tort. In time we shall know. By the way, were there any direct official apologies made by the parties concerned to him? I don't think so

General

---

July 25, 2008 23:15 PM

Idris Jusoh Appoints Lawyer Over Perdana V6 Maintenance Statement

BESUT, July 25 (Bernama) -- Former Terengganu Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh has appointed a lawyer to study what action to take over a statement that maintenance of his Proton Perdana V6 Executive was highest among the State Executive Council (Exco) members.

His special officer Kamarulazman Idris said the move was necessary as the statement had tarnished the reputation of Idris, the State Assemblyman for Jerteh.

He said although the state government had apologised, the statement showed that the Terengganu leadership had acted in haste without thinking of the consequences.

"Terengganu people are confused by the claim that the maintenance of Idris' Proton Perdana V6 Executive when he was the Menteri Besar was the highest," he said in a statement Friday.

Kamarulzaman said the issue should not be politicised as it could tarnish Idris' image especially when he was away and could not reply.

-- BERNAMA