Court orders arrest of student for defying court order not to insult ex-boyfriend

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KUALA LUMPUR: The High Court here yesterday issued a warrant of arrest for a student for contempt of court for insulting her former boyfriend on the social website although prohibited from doing so.

Judicial Commissioner Vazeer Alam Mydin Meera issued the order after allowing an application by Canadian teacher Lee David Clayworth, 35, to commit the student, Lee Ching Yan, 28, to prison.

Vazeer Alam said the warrant of arrest was issued to bring Ching Yan to court before determining the prison sentence.

“I am satisfied that the defendant intentionally violated the court order of Nov 30, 2011, by continuing to hurl insults to embarrass the plaintiff.

The defendant also chose not to attend court although served with a notice for committal proceedings in person and through her parents.

“The court has to take stern action and the court takes a serious view of those who make unlimited publications on the Internet.

These people must be held responsible for their actions.

“The court orders the assistant registrar to issue the warrant of arrest to have the defendant brought to court for the determination of a prison term after her mitigation,” said Vazeer Alam.

He ordered that the Immigration Department be instructed to prevent Ching Yan from going abroad.

He also ordered that the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission block and deny access to the social website linked to Clayworth.

On Nov 30 last year, Vazeer Alam ordered Ching Yan not to make any statement in writing which could embarrass her former boyfriend.

He also ordered her to pay RM200,000 in damages.

The sum was increased to RM1 million upon Clayworth’s appeal to the Court of Appeals.

In a writ of summons filed on April 7 last year, Clayworth claimed that Ching Yan had published statements and photographs pertaining to his personal behaviour on the social website and sent emails to their acquaintances.

Vazeer Alam set Dec 4 for case management. Clayworth was represented by counsel Ken St James. — Bernama