SHAH ALAM, Aug 17 (Bernama) -- The Sessions Court here today ordered singer and rapper Caprice, whose real name is Ariz Ramli, to apologise to preacher Ebit Lew and pay him RM200,000 in damages in a defamation suit.
Judge Zuhrina Mohamed Nor made the order after allowing the defamation suit filed by Ebit Lew, whose real name is Ebit Irawan Lew, 42, against Caprice over seven allegedly defamatory statements made in podcasts and video clips previously published by the defendant.
The court ordered Caprice to pay RM50,000 each in general, exemplary, compensatory and aggravated damages.
Judge Zuhrina also ordered Caprice to pay RM20,000 in costs to the plaintiff.
Caprice was further ordered to issue an apology to Ebit Lew and upload, publish, disseminate or otherwise publicise it on any social media platform under his control, supervision or management within 48 hours of the court order being sealed.
Lawyer Datuk Akberdin Abdul Kader represented Ebit Lew, while lawyer Mohd Rezan Ezra Muhammad Mosinal appeared for Caprice.
On Sept 29, 2023, Ebit Lew filed the suit, alleging that recordings published by the defendant, among other things, implied that he had sexually harassed and taken advantage of an Indonesian influencer, Mondy Tatto, and portrayed him as an irresponsible person and a religious opportunist.
The plaintiff alleged that Caprice, as the first defendant, had maliciously published the videos without first verifying the facts with him or his lawyers.
The plaintiff further alleged that the defamatory statements made by Caprice and Mondy had caused him to be criticised, mocked and humiliated.
-- BERNAMA