NFC-Rafizi lawsuit: Two COA judges recuse themselves

Two of three Court of Appeal judges recused themselves from hearing two appeals in the suit brought by National Feedlot Corporation Sdn Bhd (NFC) and its chairperson Mohd Salleh Ismail against Pandan MP Rafizi Ramli and Mkini Sdn Bhd.
Justice Abang Iskandar Abang Hashim, who led the Court of Appeal panel, recused himself from hearing both appeals, along with third judge Justice Mary Lim.
Their recusal came about after Justice Abang Iskandar, highlighted to parties, including senior lawyer Muhammad Shafee Abdullahfor NFC and Salleh, that he and Justice Lim had dismissed NFC and Salleh’s appeal in a defamation suit against Lembah Pantai MP Nurul Izzah Anwar.
In October last year, the High Court in Kuala Lumpur ruled that Rafizi defamed NFC and Salleh, who he was ordered to pay RM50,000 and RM150,000 to respectively, as well as an additional RM100,000 as costs.
However, the case against Malaysiakini was dismissed, with the judge ruling that the news portal was covered by the defence of reportage.
NFC and Salleh are appealing the High Court's decision against Malaysiakini, while Rafizi is appealing the order to pay damages to Salleh and NFC.