Film director Syamsul Yusof has withdrawn his lawsuit against the Federal Territories Islamic Religious Department (Jawi) and the Federal Territories Islamic Religious Council (MWAIP) regarding the disclosure of slanderous personal information about his relationship with actress Ira Kazar. This development was confirmed by Syamsul’s lawyer, Datuk Adnan Seman, who stated that the suit was struck out by the court without liberty to file a fresh one. The court also ordered Syamsul to pay costs to the defendants.
Syamsul had initially filed the lawsuit on March 28, naming the Islamic affairs officer in the Enforcement Division of Jawi, Mohd Haris Abdullah, its director Datuk Mohd Ajib Ismail, and MWAIP as defendants. The basis of his claim was an image containing Ira’s personal details, which was sent to him by his mother via WhatsApp. Syamsul believed that the image, disseminated by the defendants, humiliated and embarrassed him.
Ira, who is now Syamsul’s wife, informed him that she was called to testify by MWAIP in relation to a case filed by his first wife, Puteri Sarah Liyana Megat Kamaruddin. Syamsul argued that Ira’s statement, recorded by Mohd Haris, fell under the Official Secrets Act and was tampered with, thus giving a false impression of his morality and suggesting an extramarital affair.
The lawsuit sought general, exemplary, and punitive damages, along with other appropriate costs as determined by the court. However, Syamsul has now voluntarily withdrawn the case, resulting in its dismissal by the High Court.
In a separate development, on June 14, Syamsul announced a “talak satu” (divorce) against Puteri Sarah at the Federal Territories Syariah Court after she filed for divorce due to irreconcilable differences. They stated disagreements and the inability to live together according to Syariah law as the reasons for their separation.
Credit: The Star : News Feed
