KUALA LUMPUR — Federal Territories Minister Hannah Yeoh reiterated that her victory in the defamation case against former inspector-general of police Tan Sri Musa Hassan was never about monetary compensation, but about standing up for the truth.
The 47-year-old minister made the remarks after her lawyer, Datuk S. Ambiga, addressed a press conference following today’s Court of Appeal ruling, which ordered Musa, 74, to pay RM250,000 in damages for defaming her over remarks he made regarding Christianisation at a forum six years ago.
Speaking to reporters, the Segambut MP said she felt a deep sense of relief, as the ruling had cleared her name after false accusations were spread against her by exploiting racial and religious sentiments.
“This decision demonstrates that the claims made against me were untrue. My reputation has been tarnished for six years, but the most important thing is that the court has now vindicated me,” she said after the proceedings.
The three-judge panel, led by Datuk Azimah Omar (now a Federal Court judge), together with Datuk Dr Choo Kah Sing and Datuk Dr Shahnaz Sulaiman, unanimously allowed Hannah’s appeal.
Musa was also ordered to pay RM60,000 in legal costs.
Hannah, who previously served as youth and sports minister, said she had endured six years of lies and slander circulating on social media, which grossly misrepresented her character.
She added that the allegations were particularly damaging because they were made by a former IGP, whose stature and authority had misled the public.
“As a public servant, Musa should have acted responsibly by ensuring that his statements were based on verified facts, rather than unsubstantiated allegations that misled society,” she said.
Hannah stressed that her focus remains on serving the public with integrity, responsibility, and sincerity.
“May my life continue to honour God through my service to the rakyat,” she added.
Hannah was represented by Ambiga, along with lawyers Sangeet Kaur Deo, Lim Wei Jiet, and Lee Guo Wen. Musa was represented by lawyer Nur Jehan Abu Bakar.
The defamation suit, filed on January 30, 2020, arose from statements Musa made during the forum, including claims that Hannah authored the book Becoming Hannah to turn Malaysia into a Christian nation, maintained links with certain religious preachers and Jewish groups to undermine Islam and the country, and prioritised her personal interests over national interests.
On December 23, 2024, the Kuala Lumpur High Court, through Judicial Commissioner Arziah Mohamed Apandi, had dismissed Hannah’s suit, ruling that she had failed to prove Musa’s statements were defamatory. — January 13, 2026