JUDGMENT

(Enclosure 1)

Hayatul Akmal Abdul Aziz J:

Introduction

[1] In a nutshell:

[1.1] This suit pertains to the defamatory allegation by the plaintiff against the defendant about an article published on 12 April 2021 entitled "Hidden Hands Behind Penny Stock Surge Under Scrutiny" concerning the authority's investigation into alleged market manipulation and assets shuffling of certain public listed companies.

[1.2] The defendant admits to publishing the impugned article but denies that the impugned words referred to the plaintiff or could refer to them. In its proper context, the article did not concern or defame the plaintiff. It did not, as alleged, impair the plaintiff in any way.

[2] On 26 March 2024:

[2.1] After considering all cause papers, evidence at the trial, and hearing parties' respective arguments, on a balance of probabilities, I found that the plaintiff had failed to prove its case and dismissed the claim.

[2.2] The plaintiff was ordered to pay a cost of RM35,000.00 to the defendant within fourteen (14) days from the date of this order.

[2.3] Aggrieved, the plaintiff filed an appeal against my decision. My reasons are as follows.

[3] The witnesses at the trial are:

(1) Plainti