A defamation suit is not necessarily an attack on press freedom — Ahirudin Attan

The RM100 million defamation suit filed by Tan Sri Mohamad Salim Fateh Din against P. Gunasegaram is not an attack on press freedom, according to veteran journalist Ahirudin Attan. In an article, Attan argues that while the lawsuit is inconvenient for the journalist, it provides an opportunity for him to prove that his commentary was factual, fair, and done without malice.

Attan, who has been in the industry for four decades, cites his experience in previous high-profile defamation cases to support his claim. He believes that a journalist should not sue others for defamation and that politicians should only sue other politicians. If Salim decides to sue journalists or anyone else, it is his right and business.

Attan emphasizes that the defendant must still prove their case in court, and the system provides ample opportunity for defense. He uses the example of Salim's successful lawsuit against former University Malaysia Perlis lecturer Murray Hunter, who apologized and admitted to defaming the Malaysian. Attan concludes that the lawsuit provides Gunasegaram a chance to uphold and fortify press freedom, as the laws are clear about defamation, and factors such as skin color, nationality, and seniority do not matter. What matters are facts, the truth, and intentions.