This is an appeal by the appellant/defendant ("the defendant") against the decision of the learned magistrate who on 6 August 2001 and 14 August 2001 found the defendant liable in libel against the plaintiff and awarded to the plaintiff a sum of

2

RM8,000.00 as damages, and a further sum of RM1,000.00 as exemplary damages.

II. FACTS OF THE CASE

In June 1996, the defendant appointed the plaintiff to carry out demolition and construction works in the plaintiffs house in Bukit Duyong,

Melaka.

On 7 August 1996, the defendant was informed by his wife that some money and jewellery in the house were found to be missing. On the same date, the defendant lodged Kandang, Melaka police report No. 847/96 which reads as follows :

"Pada 6/8/96 jam lebih kurang1000hrs pagi masa itu saya ada letakan beg duit yang berisi wang RM4470.00, gelang emas tiga urat dan satu gelang emas didalam bilek dirumah saya. Pada 6/8/96 jam lebeh kurang 1200 tengahari datang tiga orang pekerja untuk memasang pintu dan salah saorang dikenali namanya Zainal. Pada jam 7.30 petang pada hari yang sama saya lihat tiga pekerja tersebut berkerja dalam keadaan tergesa gesa dan mencurigakan, saya tidak menges