DATO' SERI MUHAMMAD SANUSI BIN MD NOR v DATUK SERI SAIFUDDIN NASUTION BIN ISMAIL

ka-23cy-1-08-2023 High Court (Mahkamah Tinggi) 23 August 2025 • KA-23CY-1-08/2023

Catchwords

Defamation — political speech — public figure — whether statements made during campaign are defamatory — whether statements refer to plaintiff — whether statements published — whether statements lower plaintiff’s reputation — use of term “pencuri” — criminal innuendo — governance vs criminal liability — defence of justification — defence of fair comment — whether statements based on false facts — role of Menteri Besar Incorporated (MBI) — compound letter validity — Dewan Bahasa definition — impact of media dissemination — Federal Constitution — Auditor-General Report — MARRIS fund mismanagement — rare earth elements (REE) controversy — application of Raub Australian Gold Mining v Hue Shieh Lee — application of Seema Elizabeth Isoy v Tan Sri David Chiu Tat-Cheong — Defamation Act 1957 — section 8 — whether defence of justification negated by malice

Practice Areas

Defamation

Judges (1)

John Lee Kien How @ Mohammad Johan Lee Delivered

Parties (2)

Dato' Seri Muhammad Sanusi bin Md Nor Plaintiff Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution bin Ismail Defendant

Case Significance

DATO' SERI MUHAMMAD SANUSI BIN MD NOR v DATUK SERI SAIFUDDIN NASUTION BIN ISMAIL is a High Court (Mahkamah Tinggi) decision dated August 23, 2025 (citation: ka-23cy-1-08-2023). The case was decided by John Lee Kien How @ Mohammad Johan Lee.

What was the outcome of DATO' SERI MUHAMMAD SANUSI BIN MD NOR v DATUK SERI SAIFUDDIN NASUTION BIN ISMAIL?

DATO' SERI MUHAMMAD SANUSI BIN MD NOR v DATUK SERI SAIFUDDIN NASUTION BIN ISMAIL is a High Court decision dated August 23, 2025. The case was heard by John Lee Kien How @ Mohammad Johan Lee. See the full judgment for details.