Saturday, 4 March 2017
Actress counter-sued for defamation
KUALA LUMPUR: Actress Datin Maria Farida (pic), who is suing a cosmetics businesswoman for allegedly slandering her, is being counter-sued by the defendant for defamation.
The film star is seeking a court order to stop Hadijah Mohamed Mokhtar and her eldest daughter, flight stewardess Nur Shazleen Anis Mohd Yusoff, from allegedly making slanderous statements about her.
Yesterday, High Court judge Justice Mohd Zaki Abdul Wahab set April 13 to hear Maria’s application for an injunction from the High Court to stop them from publishing any libellous statement which could tarnish her reputation.
The actress, whose real name is Maria Faridah Atienza, 48, also wants an order to prevent the two defendants from contacting her in any way except through her lawyer.
Speaking to reporters after the proceedings in chambers, the defendants’ lawyer Zaid Roslan said the judge had ordered both parties to file written submissions by April 5 for the hearing of the temporary injunction bid by Maria.
The two defendants have counter-sued Maria for RM5mil, saying that Maria had slandered Hadijah during a popular entertainment TV show on Oct 25, 2015.
She said Maria’s remarks had implied that she was a problematic wife.
Furthermore, Hadijah said Maria had made a statement against her business, implying she was a irresponsible employer who neglected their joint contract obligations for her (Maria) to be an ambassador for their two products.
Hadijah also cited a video of a media conference, downloaded by Astro Awani on May 10, 2016, which showed Maria’s remarks against her.
Among others, Hadijah claimed that Maria had caused publication of three other media statements in May 2016 against her, which insinuated that she (Hadijah) was trying to ruin her marriage.
Hadijah claimed that those remarks had caused her anxiety and led her to seek medical treatment.
Hadijah and her daughter are now claiming RM5mil in aggravated damages over Maria’s actions which they contended had caused them difficulty.
In the counter-claim dated Feb 16, made available to the media yesterday, they are applying for unspecified amount in general and exemplary damages, to be assessed by the court.
In her statement of claim filed in December last year, Maria is applying for various damages and an apology from both women.
In the statement of defence dated Feb 15, the two defendants had denied defaming her.
Read more at http://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2017/03/04/actress-countersued-for-defamation-businesswoman-says-film-star-slandered-her-during-popular-tv-show/#zudvkGlcBh7BzVu5.99
