‘Papagomo’ at risk of second contempt proceeding

‘Papagomo’ at risk of second contempt proceeding

Inspector-General of Police Razarudin Husain says the blogger went on record to state his apology to the court only to escape punishment.

raza Wan Azri Wan Deris papagomo
Top cop Razarudin Husain brought a RM3 million lawsuit against blogger Wan Azri Wan Deris, alleging that he was defamed in four video postings published in December last year.
KUALA LUMPUR:
Blogger Wan Azri Wan Deris is at risk again of being cited for contempt of court over two allegedly derogatory postings about Inspector-General of Police Razarudin Husain published last week on social media.

On Monday, Razarudin filed an application in the High Court here for leave to bring committal proceedings after the blogger posted a video recording claiming he only issued the apology to escape punishment.

Wan Azri is alleged to have uploaded the video on TikTok and YouTube at about 8.30pm on May 1.

This time, Razarudin wants the blogger arrested and sent to prison.

On April 30, Wan Azri, also known as Papagomo, decided to purge his contempt just prior to the start of proceedings before judicial commissioner Gan Techiong over defamatory and demeaning remarks made earlier this year.

“The statements on social media and his refusal to remove earlier postings (on Jan 14 and 15) show he is not sincere in extending the apology,” Razarudin said in the court papers cited by FMT.

In a statement read in court, Wan Azri, a former cop, expressed his unreserved and unconditional regret for referring to Razarudin in a demeaning manner in a social media posting on Jan 14.

He also apologised for publishing a doctored photo of Razarudin on the same media platform the following day.

Wan Azri gave an undertaking to the court that he would post his statement of apology on YouTube, Telegram, X and TikTok on April 30, which would remain on the social media platforms for at least seven days.

The judge also directed Wan Azri to remove the postings made on Jan 14 and 15, which were the subject matter of the contempt of court proceedings.

Gan also ordered Wan Azri to pay RM5,000 in costs.

Lawyer S Raam Kumar, who represents Razarudin, said the ex-parte leave application would be heard on Friday.

On Dec 26 last year, Razarudin filed a RM3 million lawsuit against Wan Azri alleging defamation.

He filed the first application for contempt on Jan 24 after the blogger failed to comply with an injunction order issued on Jan 10.

The injunction prohibits Wan Azri or his agents from publishing or disseminating defamatory statements against Razarudin, both in his official and personal capacities, on any social media platform until the defamation suit is resolved.

Wan Azri was also ordered to retract, remove, and delete video postings on his YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, Telegram, and X accounts dated Dec 14, 15, 20 and 22 last year, which contained the alleged defamatory statements against Razarudin.

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