Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli must file his defence by April 9 in a defamation suit by influencer Caprice over RM2.5 billion corruption claims.
KUALA LUMPUR: High Court senior assistant registrar Nur Shasha Hidayah Nor Azahar has ordered Pandan MP Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli to file his statement of defence by April 9.
The order was issued during an e-review case management for a defamation suit brought by influencer Caprice, whose real name is Ariz Ramli.
Caprice’s counsel, Mohd Rezan Ezra, said his client must then file a reply to that defence by April 30.
Further case management for the suit has been fixed for May 13.
The suit concerns four videos Rafizi uploaded to his social media accounts which allegedly contain defamatory statements against Caprice.
The videos relate to Caprice’s own claims of alleged corruption amounting to RM2.5 billion linked to the National Energy Transition Roadmap project.
Caprice filed the suit on February 26, alleging the statements suggest he conspired to fabricate and disseminate false allegations.
He contends the videos are defamatory and have damaged his reputation, portraying him as untrustworthy on matters of public interest.
The influencer is seeking RM10 million in special damages for loss of income, plus general, exemplary and aggravated damages.
He also seeks an apology and an injunction for the removal of the videos from Rafizi’s social media platforms.
Rafizi, who has been served the writ, filed a memorandum of appearance and was represented by counsel Edmund Choi at the proceedings.