The Melaka High Court has fixed Feb 12 and Feb 13 next year to hear DAP vice-chairman Teresa Kok’s defamation lawsuit against Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh over a dispute regarding halal certification.
Kok’s lawyer SN Nair said the hearing dates were fixed during a case management before judicial commissioner Isa Aziz Ibrahim today. Lawyer Ang Carlreen appeared for Akmal.
In her lawsuit initiated last year, Kok claimed that a video uploaded by Akmal on Facebook, TikTok and Instagram was defamatory, slanderous, libellous and derogatory.
Akmal had uploaded the video in response to Kok’s statements on halal certification, calling her an “old nyonya lady” and saying she should not interfere in Islamic matters.
The Merlimau assemblyman also called Kok an “embarrassment” to the country and told her to remain silent on matters concerning Islam.
Kok claimed that Akmal’s statements conveyed falsehoods, painting her as racist, insensitive, and someone who disrespects Islam and is disloyal to the country, among others.
“The plaintiff’s statements clearly pertain to the process of obtaining halal certification by operators in the food and beverage industry.
“However, these statements have been subjected to ridicule, exaggeration and excessive amplification through the defendant’s oral statements.
“Such misrepresentation by the defendant distorts the original context and intent of the plaintiff’s remarks, potentially misleading the public and unjustly tarnishing the plaintiff’s reputation within her professional domain,” she said in her statement of claim.
Kok also said that Akmal showed no remorse for his remarks and had refused to retract them or apologise for making them.
She is seeking general, compensatory, aggravated and exemplary damages from Akmal, as well as an injunction barring him from repeating his statements.
