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THE Shah Alam High Court has found academic and political commentator Murray Victor Hunter liable for defamation in a civil suit brought by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC).
The court ruled on 15 October 2025 that a series of articles authored by Hunter between April and November 2024 contained false and defamatory statements which seriously damaged the reputation of the MCMC.
The publications were found to include baseless allegations that misled the public and undermined confidence in the Commission, prompting the regulator to pursue legal action.
In a statement, the MCMC said the verdict affirms the principle that freedom of speech, while fundamental, must be exercised responsibly.
“The right of speech does not extend to the making of false, malicious, or defamatory statements that harm the reputation of others,” the Commission stated.
The MCMC said the suit was initiated to defend its institutional integrity and to promote accountability and responsible communication within Malaysia’s digital space.
“This action was necessary to protect the Commission’s reputation and to uphold the values of integrity, transparency and trust in public institutions,” the statement added.
Hunter has not publicly responded to the ruling at the time of publication. - October 16, 2025
