What led to the defamation suit between Tajuddin and Khalid Samad?

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Defamation Suit Between Tajuddin Abdul Rahman and Khalid Abd Samad Originating from Alleged Statements

The defamation suit was initiated by former Pasir Salak Member of Parliament, Datuk Seri Tajuddin Abdul Rahman, against former Shah Alam MP Khalid Abd Samad and KiniTV Sdn Bhd. Tajuddin alleged that Khalid uttered defamatory statements and used curse words against him during two media conferences held at the Parliament Lobby on November 21 and November 24, 2016. These alleged statements were subsequently published in the New Straits Times and by KiniTV, and were also accessible on platforms like YouTube.
Allegations of Unfitness and Cultural Transgression

Tajuddin's legal action stemmed from his assertion that the statements made by Khalid implied he was unfit to hold the position of a Member of Parliament. Furthermore, Tajuddin contended that these remarks suggested his actions were contrary to the teachings and cultural norms of Islam. The suit was formally filed on April 26, 2017, following the media conferences that formed the basis of his grievance.
High Court Dismissal and Subsequent Appeal for Costs

Initially, the High Court dismissed Tajuddin's defamation suit on February 22, 2022, without awarding any costs to either party. However, Khalid and KiniTV were granted leave to pursue their appeals specifically concerning the matter of costs. This led to the Court of Appeal's decision to overturn the High Court's cost order.
Court of Appeal's Decision on Costs

On October 19, the Court of Appeal unanimously ordered Tajuddin to pay a total of RM120,000 in costs to Khalid and KiniTV, allocating RM60,000 to each. The appellate court found that the High Court judge had deviated from general practice by not awarding costs to the defendants, who had successfully defended the suit. Justice Nantha Balan noted that the lower court judge had made this decision without affording parties the opportunity to submit on costs, citing a broad interpretation of public interest which the Court of Appeal questioned. The appellate court acknowledged the extensive work involved in the case, as the suit was filed in 2017 and the trial spanned from 2019 to 2021, thereby entitling the defendants to costs.

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What led to the defamation suit between Tajuddin and Khalid Samad?

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