Santhara's defamation suit against Batu MP dismissed

SHAH ALAM - Batu MP P Prabakaran has been cleared of defamation charges by the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court.

The court found that Prabakaran's statements about former Federal Territories deputy minister Datuk Seri Edmun Santhara's visit to New Zealand in 2020 were not defamatory, as they were made in the public interest.

Prabakaran had alleged that Santhara had abused his position as deputy minister by taking a 55-day trip to New Zealand during the Movement Control Order (MCO).

Santhara had filed a defamation suit against Prabakaran in June 2021, but the court ruled that Prabakaran's statements were protected by the right to freedom of expression.

In a statement, Prabakaran said he was grateful for the court's decision, which he said was a victory for the people.

"I believe this victory represented a victory for the people.

"I pray I won’t do the same as it involved corruption in the administration.

"I’m taking it as an example towards a guideline in my administration,” he said.

He said he would continue to speak out against corruption and abuse of power, and that he would use this experience as a guideline in his own administration.