Kuala Lumpur: The High Court has granted religious affairs minister Na’im Mokhtar a temporary injunction restraining controversial blogger Papagomo from making defamatory remarks pending the disposal of a libel suit between the duo.
Papagomo is the alter ego of Umno Youth executive council member Wan Azri Wan Deris.
The order was made by judicial commissioner Leong Wai Hong in a lawsuit brought by Na’im over an allegedly defamatory video posted by Wan Azri on Facebook last month.
In his suit, Na’im alleged that Wan Azri had implicated him in a “sex scandal”.
Na’im is also suing Wan Azri over an alleged claim by the blogger that the minister had failed to take steps to protect the sanctity of Islam in a matter involving Ipoh Timur MP Howard Lee.
Lee, a non-Muslim, was recently embroiled in controversy for his interpretation of a Quranic verse. The matter was reported to have been resolved after a meeting between Na’im and Lee, who apologised over the issue.
Wan Azri also alleged that Na’im supported DAP, a component party under the unity government.
“The plaintiff (Na’im) wishes to say that police have cleared him of any sexual misconduct allegations.
“(Umno Supreme Council member) Lokman Noor Adam has retracted similar allegations,” Na’im said in his statement of claim.
Na’im also claimed that Wan Azri had persisted in making various defamatory remarks about him despite the resolution of the issue involving Lee.
The minister added that his lawyers had sent a letter last month demanding that Wan Azri retract the statements, but the Umno man had refused to comply.
Na’im is seeking general, aggravated and punitive damages from Wan Azri.
The suit has been set for case management on Nov 7.
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