Kuala Lumpur: Rosmah Mansor is seeking RM1 million in damages from a TikTok account holder for loss of reputation over his claim that she practised black magic.
Rosmah, the wife of former prime minister Najib Razak, sought the sum in an affidavit filed in proceedings for the assessment of damages payable by defendant Ku Muhammad Hilmie Ku Din.
Her lawyer, Baharudeen Ariff, said the affidavit was filed in the High Court last year and has been duly served on the defendant. However it has not been replied to.
Today, Justice Ahmad Shahrir Salleh fixed May 27 to hear the matter.
He also ordered Rosmah’s solicitors to file written submissions two weeks prior to the hearing date.
Rosmah, 72, filed the lawsuit on Sept 19, 2023.
In the suit, she claimed that the defendant had six months earlier uploaded a video on his TikTok account containing false and defamatory statements about her.
She said the impugned statements accused her of committing sinful acts and being involved in rituals involving the devil and bomohs (shamans). They also accused her of practising polytheism.
Rosmah said the statements had damaged her reputation as the wife of Malaysia’s sixth prime minister and a patron of various charitable organisations in Malaysia.
Rosmah also claimed they had caused her to be viewed negatively by the public, ridiculed and insulted, and had tarnished her reputation as a prominent public figure.
The suit sought general, aggravated and exemplary damages.
On May 28, 2024, Shahrir allowed Rosmah to enter a judgment in default against Ku Muhammad after he failed to file an appearance and defend the suit.
The judge also ordered that the damages payable under the judgment be assessed by the court.
