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Ahmadul Kobir, Malaysia: The Johor Bahru High Court has ordered migrant workers’ rights activist Andy Hall to pay a total of RM500,000 in damages in two defamation cases filed by a Malaysian foreign-worker recruitment company director.
Judicial Commissioner Noradura Hamzah delivered the ruling on Thursday (August 13), finding that claims brought by R. Muthusamy, director of Embun Karisma Resources, had been proven. Hall was not present in court during the proceedings.
The court ordered Hall to pay RM250,000 in damages in each of the two cases, along with an additional RM100,000 in legal costs.
The two suits, filed about four years ago, were heard together. Muthusamy was the sole witness for the plaintiff, while lawyers G.K. Sreetharan and Chai Yi Ng represented him.
In her oral judgment, Justice Noradura said serious allegations, including corruption and bribery, had been made against Muthusamy. Given the gravity of the allegations, the court considered a substantial amount of damages appropriate.
The court also issued an injunction preventing Hall from publishing similar defamatory statements in the future. He was further ordered to issue a public apology to Muthusamy in a national newspaper and through his Facebook and Instagram accounts.
The cases arose from statements Hall allegedly made about Muthusamy in an email and in an article published by Focus Malaysia on February 17 under the headline, “See You in Court: Hall Dares Libel Claimant in Dyson Forced Labour Controversy.”
According to court documents, Muthusamy claimed that the statements were false and baseless and portrayed him as being involved in illegal and criminal activities. He said the allegations were damaging to his reputation in Malaysia and internationally.
The plaintiff described the statements as defamatory and alleged that they were sensational, offensive and malicious.
Muthusamy also claimed that Hall had continued making similar allegations despite earlier court directions.
The latest ruling requires Hall to comply with the court’s financial orders, publish the apology and refrain from making further statements deemed defamatory against Muthusamy.
Hall is known internationally for his advocacy on the rights and welfare of migrant workers in Malaysia and other parts of Southeast Asia. His work has included campaigning against alleged labour exploitation and forced labour and advocating stronger protections for migrant workers.
The ruling comes amid continuing debate in Malaysia over the treatment and protection of migrant workers, many of whom are employed in sectors such as manufacturing, construction, plantations and services.
The case highlights the legal risks faced by rights activists and others who make public allegations concerning labour practices, recruitment and alleged exploitation, particularly when such claims become the subject of defamation proceedings.