Oct 11 hearing for LTAT's defamation suit against Rafizi involving gratuity

KUALA LUMPUR: The High Court here today set four days from Oct 11 for hearing of Armed Forces Fund Board (LTAT)'s defamation case against Pandan member of parliament Mohd Rafizi Ramli involving gratuity.
Justice Datuk Ahmad Zaidi Ibrahim set the date in chambers during which LTAT was represented by counsel Ahmad Syateer Izzat and Mohd Rafizi, by Saiful Izham Ramli.
The defendant's counsel told reporters when met, that the court had fixed Oct 11 and Dec 18 till Dec 20 to hear the case, and July 3 for case management.
LTAT filed the suit on May 6, 2016, alleging that Mohd Rafizi in his blog and Facebook on March 21, 2016 made a disparaging statement against it with the heading, 'Bayaran gratuiti pesara angkatan tentera lewat; LTAT perlu dedahkan risiko kewangan akibat 1MDB'.
The plaintiff claimed Mohd Rafizi on March 24, 2016 through Malaysiakini's website, also made a statement with the heading, 'Rafizi: I have document showing LTAT's link to 1MDB'.
It claimed the defendant made another disparaging statement on March 28, 2016 in his Facebook with the heading, 'Laporan ketua audit negara ke atas 1MDB mengesahkan kesan masalah kewangan 1MDB ke atas LTAT'.
In its statement of claim, LTAT also alleged that the statement issued by Mohd Rafizi implied among others, that it had failed to protect the interest and welfare of retired personnel and did not have the financial capability to pay the latter.
LTAT is claiming general and exemplary damages and an injunction to restrain or prevent the defendant from further publishing defamatory statements against it. — Bernama