Kuala Lumpur: The High Court has allowed religious affairs minister Na’im Mokhtar an injunction restraining controversial blogger Papagomo from making defamatory remarks pending the disposal of a libel suit.
Papagomo is believed to be the alter ego of former Umno Youth executive council member Wan Azri Wan Deris.
Lawyer Akberdin Abdul Kadir, who represented Na’im, said judicial commissioner Leong Wai Hong made the order after hearing submissions from both parties today.
Akberdin said Leong also ordered Wan Azri to pay Na’im RM8,000 in costs.
On Oct 30, Na’im obtained an interim injunction pending an inter partes hearing today.
In his suit, he alleged that Wan Azri had implicated him in a “sex scandal” through a defamatory video posted on Facebook last month.
Na’im is also suing Wan Azri over an alleged claim by the blogger that he (Na’im) 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.
“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.
He also claimed that Wan Azri had persisted in making various defamatory remarks about him despite the resolution of the issue involving Lee.
He is seeking general, aggravated and punitive damages from Wan Azri.
The suit has been set for case management on Nov 22.
