KUALA LUMPUR: PKR vice-president Rafizi Ramli has been ordered to enter his defence for allegedly publishing a defamatory statement against Lembaga Tabung Haji (TH) two years ago.
Magistrate Umzarul An-Nur Umar meted out the judgement after the prosecution had a prima facie case against Rafizi.
The court also fixed Nov 27 for defence trial.
Rafizi’s lawyer Nik Zarith Nik Moustpha said the former Pandan member or parliament would give statement under oath.
When met after proceeding, Rafizi said he believed that the defence had a strong case against the prosecution team.
“I believe I will be proven to be innocent after supports from our witnesses’ statement,” he said.
Deputy Public Prodecutor Jaizah Jaafar Sidek prosecuted the case.
Rafizi was charged with defaming TH in an article “Analisa Kewangan Tabung Haji 2009-2015” (Tabung Haji Financial Analysis 2009-2015) which was uploaded onto his Facebook account on Feb 9 last year.
Rafizi allegedly committed the offence at Level 18, Bangunan Tabung Haji, 201 Jalan Tun Razak at about 9am on Feb 18, 2016.
The offence, under Section 500 of the Penal Code for criminal defamation, carries a maximum penalty of two years’ imprisonment and a fine.