The Melaka High Court ruled that a video Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh posted on social media in September 2024 carried a ‘severe defamatory sting’ alleging DAP vice-chairman Teresa Kok of ‘habitually and continually’ destabilising national harmony.PETALING JAYA: Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh defamed DAP vice-chairman Teresa Kok by accusing her of repeatedly undermining national harmony and subjecting her to personal insults over her criticism of a proposed halal certification policy, the Melaka High Court stated.
Judicial Commissioner Isa Aziz Ibrahim said Akmal’s remarks went beyond legitimate political debate and carried a serious defamatory implication against Kok.
“The said video did carry a severe defamatory sting that the plaintiff habitually and continually destabilises national harmony,” he said in his grounds of judgment dated Oct 19 when ruling on Kok's defamation suit against Akmal.
