TV3 to pay Anwar RM1.1m for defamation (Updated)

KUALA LUMPUR: The High Court today awarded RM1.1 million in damages to Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim after winning his defamation suit against TV3.
The television station has been found to have defamed Anwar by linking him to the intrusion of Filipino militants at Lahad Datu in 2013.
Judge Datuk Ahmad Zaidi Ibrahim granted him RM250,000 aggravated, RM250,000 exemplary and RM600,000 general damages.
He also ordered TV3 to pay RM40,000 in costs.
In his judgement, Ahmad Zaidi said TV3 has failed to practice "responsible journalism" in verifying its information before broadcasting it.
He said TV3 has broadcasted a news report in its 8pm Buletin Utama based an article published in Utusan Malaysia entitled "Tiga Kumpulan Jadi Dalang" on March 2, 2013.
Ahmad Zaidi pointed out that TV3 has published a news based on its source from Utusan Malaysia, who had in turn admitted that the news is not true.
He added that the court finds there was "malice" in TV3's action because it refused to admit wrong, despite its source stating that the news was false.
Anwar, had filed a suit on March 8, 2013, against Utusan Malaysia and TV3 seeking RM100million in damages and claiming the statements issued by them had implied that he was a threat to national security, a traitor and involved in terrorism.
However, on Oct 5, 2016, Utusan Malaysia's owner had settled the suit after stating that it regretted publishing the report.
Anwar was represented by lawyer Datuk S Ambiga whereas TV3 was represented by lawyer Lim Qi Si.