Felda fails to get judgement-in-default against Saifuddin

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KUALA LUMPUR: The Federal Land Development Authority (Felda) failed to get a judgement-in-default against Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) secretary-general Datuk Saifuddin Nasution Ismail in its is defamation suit against the latter and six others.

Judicial Commissioner Leng Heng Cheong made the decision in chambers in the presence of Counsel Abu Bakar Isa Rahmat, representing Felda, and Counsel Puspawati Rosman and Azhana Mohd Khairuddin, who represented Saifuddin and the six other defendants respectively.

Abu Bakar told reporters the court had set seven days before May 29 for Saifuddin to file his statement of defence while Felda was given till June 7 to submit its affidavit-in-reply.

Felda had applied for the judgment-in-default on April 5 after Saifuddin failed to file his memorandum on his presence in court concerning the suit whereas the others had done so and filed their statements of defence as well.

On Jan 7, Felda had filed the defamation suit against the respondents for alleging that Felda was exporting palm oil to Israel.

The others named as defendants in the suit were Persatuan Anak Peneroka Felda Kebangsaan (Anak) president Mazlan Aliman; PAS secretary-general Datuk Mustafa Ali; Harakah editor-in-chief Ahmad Lutfi Othman, editor Taufek Yahya, article writer Mohd Arif Atan and printer Harakah Angkatan Edaran Ent Sdn Bhd.

The conglomerate claimed that the words to the effect uttered by the defendants verbally or in print had tarnished its reputation and is seeking general, special, aggravated and exemplary damages, interests and costs from all of them.

In their statement of defence, the six defendants mentioned claimed that Felda had no right form the legal point of view to sue them and that they had qualified privilege to make the accusation because it was of public interest. — Bernama