In a recent legal development, the High Court has ruled that certain parts of Najib Razak's witness statement in his defamation lawsuit against former attorney-general Tommy Thomas are inadmissible. The court's decision, handed down by Justice Khadijah Idris, highlights a significant issue with the evidence presented. The expunged sections, totaling 22 out of 62 pages, are deemed to violate the Evidence Act 1950 and involve opinion evidence, including matters of law. Additionally, the phrase 'my family' has been removed from Najib's statement as it was not mentioned in his initial claim. This ruling comes amidst a broader dispute over Thomas's 2021 memoir, 'My Story: Justice in the Wilderness', which Najib alleges defamed him and his family in connection with the murder of Altantuya Shaariibuu. The court's action also extends to certain leading questions posed to Najib, which were deemed to prompt specific and desired answers. This development underscores the importance of maintaining the integrity of witness statements and the potential consequences when such statements are found to be inadmissible. The case continues with further hearings scheduled for November 17th, leaving the outcome of this high-profile defamation suit in the balance.
