The High Court has ordered a public apology from a Threads user.
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The High Court has ordered a Threads user to publish an open apology to fashion entrepreneur Christy Ng in English and Malay newspapers
According to the New Straits Times, the 36-year-old user, J Vikneshvra Rau, operates the account "archnionverse" and was sued by Ng for defamation.
Judge Arziah Mohamed Apandi said the apology must be published within four working days from 26 October, and its contents must be satisfactory to Ng.
Fashion entrepreneur Christy Ng.
Image via New Straits TimesBecause Vikneshvra is facing financial difficulties, Ng will have to advance the publication costs first. Ng can later recover the amount from Vikneshvra, and if he fails to pay, it will be added to his existing penalty.
The committal proceedings took an emotional turn when Vikneshvra detailed his dire financial situation, revealing that his family had disowned him and his wife had left him.
He also said he had only RM50 left in his ewallet, had defaulted on his car loan, and was four months behind on his apartment instalments.
"I have no income but I am willing to comply. It is just that I do not have anything under my name to pay for the apology in the newspaper," he said
Finding merit in his explanation, Arziah ruled that he was not deliberately ignoring the court orders.
"I find that the plaintiff [Ng] has not proven beyond reasonable doubt that he is in contempt of the court order, and I do not think that he is deliberately refusing to comply. It is because of his financial situation and mishaps in his life," she said.
If Vikneshvra fails to comply with the apology order, he must return to court on 2 November to face potential imprisonment or a fine.
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