Defamation Lawyer in Malaysia: How to Sue for Defamation + Legal Help & Damages Guide
- Messrs Lui & Bhullar
- Jul 25
- 6 min read
Updated: Oct 15
BY MESSRS LUI BHULLAR
Defamation Lawyer in Malaysia: Legal Help for Online, Civil, and Social Media Defamation
Defamation cases in Malaysia are becoming increasingly common—especially with the rise of social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and X (formerly Twitter). If your reputation or business has been harmed due to false or malicious statements, you may be entitled to legal redress under Malaysian defamation law.
Whether you're dealing with online defamation, libel, slander, or seeking compensation through a civil defamation case, this guide explains how a defamation lawyer in Malaysia can help, what your legal options are, and how to sue for defamation in Malaysia.
What Is Defamation Under Malaysian Law?
Under Malaysian law, defamation is defined as the publication of a false statement that injures a person’s reputation. There are two types:
Libel – written or published defamation (e.g., in newspapers, blogs, or social media posts).
Slander – spoken defamation, such as in videos or speeches.
Both types may form the basis of a civil lawsuit.
How to Sue for Defamation in Malaysia
To sue for defamation in Malaysia, you must prove the following elements:
The statement is defamatory.
The statement refers to you or your business.
The statement was published to a third party.
Once these are proven, you can initiate a civil defamation case through the Malaysian courts. Legal remedies may include:
A public apology
Removal of defamatory content
An injunction to prevent further publication
Monetary damages
A defamation lawyer in Malaysia can assess your case, send a cease and desist letter, and file court proceedings if necessary.
Social Media Defamation: Legal Help in Malaysia
With the growth of social platforms, social media defamation in Malaysia has become a pressing legal issue. Malicious WhatsApp messages, Facebook posts, and viral TikTok videos can cause reputational harm within hours.
Victims can take action with the help of an online defamation lawyer in Malaysia to:
Identify the perpetrator (even if anonymous)
Gather and preserve evidence of the defamatory content
Issue a cease and desist letter for defamation
Seek an injunction or file a defamation suit
Defamation on digital platforms is actionable under both civil and, in some cases, criminal laws (such as Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998).
Why You Need a Defamation Lawyer in Malaysia
A qualified defamation lawyer in Malaysia is essential to:
Advise you on the strength of your case
Draft a properly structured cease and desist letter
Calculate and claim defamation damages
Navigate the complex laws surrounding libel and slander
Represent you in court proceedings
Legal advice is crucial—especially when dealing with cross-border online publications or viral social media posts that can damage your brand or personal reputation.
Calculating Defamation Damages in Malaysia
If successful, you may be entitled to defamation damages which include:
General damages – for loss of reputation and emotional distress.
Aggravated damages – if the defamation was malicious or repeated.
Exemplary damages – to punish especially egregious conduct.
An experienced civil defamation case lawyer in Malaysia will assess the extent of the harm and seek the highest possible compensation based on precedent and case facts.
No. | Case | Court | Position of Claimant | Damages | Costs |
1 | Syed Husin Ali v. Sharikat Penchetakan Utusan Melayu Berhad & Anor | HC | Lecturer of the University of Malaya | $6,500 | With costs |
2 | Datuk Harris Mohd Salleh v. Abdul Jalil Ahmad & Anor | HC | Chief Minister of Sabah | RM100,000 | With costs |
3 | Dato' Musa Hitam v. S.H. AlAttas & Ors. | HC | Politician | RM100,000 | With costs |
4 | Tun Datuk Patinggi Haji Abdul Rahman Ya'kub v. Bre Sdn Bhd & Ors | HC (CA affirmed 2005) | Former Chief Minister & Governor of Sarawak | RM100,000 | With costs |
5 | Ling Wah Press (M) Sdn Bhd v. Tan Sri Dato Vincent Tan Chee Yioun | FC | CEO of Berjaya Group | RM7,000,000 | With costs |
6 | Liew Yew Tiam & Ors v. Cheah Cheng Hoc & Ors | CA | Firm of solicitors | RM100,000 | No costs |
7 | Karpal Singh Ram Singh v. DP Vijandran | CA | Lawyers/politicians | RM100,000 | Half costs of appeal |
8 | Utusan Melayu (M) Bhd & Ors v. Tjanting Handicraft Sdn Bhd & Anor | CA | Business / Manufacturer | RM250,000 | With costs |
9 | Chin Choon v. Chua Jui Meng | CA | Deputy Minister | RM200,000 | No order |
10 | Datuk Harris Mohd Salleh v. Datuk Mohd Shafie Hj Apdal & Ors | HC (CA affirmed) | Politician & Former CM of Sabah | RM50,000 | RM100,000 |
11 | Dato' Seri Anwar Ibrahim v. The New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd & Anor | HC | Former Deputy PM | RM100,000 | RM20,000 |
12 | Dato' Hassan Mohamed Ali v. Tengku Putra Tengku Awang & Ors | HC | Politician | RM50,000 | RM100,000 |
13 | Chong Siew Chiang v. Ng Kim Ho & Anor | HC | Lawyer / Politician | RM100,000 (D1), RM50,000 (D2) | With costs |
14 | Dato' Dr Tan Chee Khuan v. Chin Choong Seng | HC | Doctor / Art Businessman | RM150,000 | RM10,000 |
15 | Kumarasamy Naciappan v. The New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd | HC | Businessman | RM120,000 | RM15,000 |
16 | Lim Guan Eng v. Utusan Melayu (M) Bhd | HC | Chief Minister / MP | RM200,000 | RM25,000 |
17 | Harry Isaacs & Ors v. Berita Harian Sdn Bhd | CA | School Owner, School, Law Firm | RM150,000 + RM75,000 (P1&P2), RM50,000 + RM25,000 (P3) | RM50,000 |
18 | Tan Sri Dato' Lim Guan Teik v. Tan Kai Hee | HC | Chairman of Business Board | RM200,000 | RM100,000 |
19 | Abdul Razak Mohd Noor v. Wan Muhammad Azri Wan Deris | HC | Businessman / CEO | RM500,000 | RM50,000 |
20 | Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim v. Wan Muhammad Azri Wan Deris | HC | Politician | RM800,000 | RM50,000 |
21 | Jahara Hamid v. Lim Guan Eng | HC | Chief Minister / MP | RM500,000 | RM40,000 |
22 | Dato' Ahmad Rejal Arbee & Anor v. Mahfuz Omar | CA | MP & PAS Member | RM110,000 | With costs |
23 | Sistem Televisyen Malaysia Bhd & Ors v. Nurullah Zawawi & Anor | CA | Celebrity & Law Lecturer | RM80,000 (reduced from RM250,000) | — |
24 | Dato' Ahmad Sudin v. Dato' Ariffin Man | HC | Kedah State Assemblyman | RM150,000 (General + Aggravated) | RM30,000 |
25 | Lim Guan Eng v. New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd | HC | Chief Minister / MP | RM300,000 | RM35,000 |
26 | Nurul Izzah Anwar v. Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar & Anor | HC | MP / PKR VP | RM400,000 (D1), RM600,000 (D2) | RM80,000 |
27 | Datuk Harris Mohd Salleh v. Datuk Yong Teck Lee & Anor | FC | Former Chief Minister | RM600,000 | RM200,000 |
28 | Warisan Pinang Sdn. Bhd. & Ors v. Carolyn Khor Tsai Chen | HC | PKR Communication Chief | RM100,000 (P1 & P2), RM80,000 (P3) | RM40,000 |
29 | Sri Lai Cha Suang @ Jessy Lai & Anor v. Lim Lip Eng | — | Businessman & Company | RM500,000 (P1), RM1,500,000 (P2) | RM250,000 |
30 | Dr Zakir Abdul Karim Naik v. Ramasamy Palanisamy | HC | Religious Figure | RM1,450,000 | RM70,000 |
31 | Dato' Foo Ming Lam & Anor v. Wee Meng Chee | HC | Businessman & Company | RM350,000 | RM50,000 |
32 | Jason Jonathan Lo v. Star Media Group Bhd & Ors | HC | Celebrity | RM200,000 | — |
Best Defamation Law Firm in Malaysia: What to Look For
When searching for the best defamation law firm in Malaysia, consider:
Proven track record in handling high-profile defamation cases
In-depth knowledge of media and cyberlaw
Strong negotiation and litigation skills
Client confidentiality and reputation management expertise
A specialized defamation law firm can provide comprehensive legal strategies—from private settlements to full-blown court actions.
Take Action: Cease and Desist Letter for Defamation in Malaysia
Before initiating a lawsuit, a cease and desist letter for defamation is often issued. This formal letter demands the perpetrator to:
Retract the defamatory statements
Cease further publication or discussion
Offer an apology or compensation
Your lawyer will draft this letter carefully to preserve your legal position and demonstrate a good-faith effort to resolve the dispute before heading to court.
Get Legal Help Today
If you’ve been defamed, act fast. Reputation is invaluable, and early legal intervention often makes a difference. Whether you need advice on how to sue for defamation in Malaysia, seek libel and slander legal advice, or need help with online or social media defamation, consult an experienced defamation lawyer in Malaysia today.
Need Legal Advice on Defamation?
If you're unsure how to sue for defamation in Malaysia or need to identify the person behind defamatory online content, consult our legal team today. At Messrs Lui & Bhullar, we combine strong legal strategy with digital expertise to hold online defamers accountable.
📧 Email: general@luibhullar.com
📞 WhatsApp: +60143000970
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