“Malaysiakini wins defamation suit filed by gold mine company”, 23 May 2016

Online news portal Malaysiakini has won against a defamation suit filed by gold mine company Raub Australian Gold Mining (RAGM).

In her decision today, High Court judge Rosnaini Saub dismissed the company’s claim against Malaysiakini and three other defendants who are members of the news portal's editorial team.

Justice Rosnaini said the defendants had succeeded in their defence of qualified privilege - the Reynolds privilege, which is responsible journalism and reportage.

“Malice was also not proven. On these grounds, the plaintiff’s claim against the defendants ought to be dismissed,” she stated in her 37-page judgment…

The company said the articles published by the news portal had damaged its reputation.

Allegations that sodium cyanide used for gold extraction was hazardous to Bukit Koman residents, the company argued, were unsubstantiated.

Read full judgment here…