PAS paid RM2 million to UK lawyer in suit against Sarawak Report

(FMT) – PAS has paid over RM2 million in legal fees to a British lawyer who represented its president Abdul Hadi Awang in his defamation suit against Sarawak Report editor Clare Rewcastle-Brown, the party revealed today.

Secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan said the party paid £355,550.82 (RM2,117,870.85) for services between Nov 2016 and June 2018.

Takiyuddin was responding to a Pahang PAS delegate at the party’s muktamar here, who asked the amount charged by Hadi’s lawyer in London.

Takiyuddin said the decision to sue Sarawak Report was not for profit, but to defend the dignity of PAS leaders.

He said the suit was filed by Hadi and not by the party.

“I wish to state that the suit is only between Hadi and Clare,” he said, adding that although it did not involve PAS, the claims by Sarawak Report would have a negative impact on the party.

As such, he said a decision was taken to launch a donation drive from members.

Sarawak Report had published an article claiming RM90 million could have been paid into the bank accounts of top PAS leaders to woo them into supporting Umno and Barisan Nasional.

Hadi, through his lawyer Carter-Ruck, filed the defamation suit against Clare on April 21 last year at the London High Court, seeking an an injunction as well as damages.

Last May, the London High Court dismissed Clare’s application to strike out Hadi’s suit. The court also ordered her to pay costs of £28,900 (RM156,000) to Hadi.