KUALA LUMPUR: The High Court here yesterday ordered blogger Papagomo to pay RM500,000 in damages in a defamation suit against him filed by a businessman. Papagomo who was identified as Wan Muhammad Azri Wan Deris was told to pay RM200,000 in general damages and RM300,000 in exemplary damages by Judicial Commissioner Vazeer Alam Mydin Meer. Businessman Abdul Razak Mohd Noor had filed a RM10m defamation suit against the blogger, claiming that Papagomo had implied he was a liar who earned millions of Ringgit in the Commonwealth Games.
Japan luxury train unveiled
TOKYO: A Japanese railway operator yesterday unveiled a new super-luxury train it hopes will appeal to well-heeled travellers who don’t mind splashing out to have their every travelling need fulfilled. Kyushu Railway’s “Nanatsuboshi” — Seven Stars — service has a lounge car with a piano and a bar, top-end dining and 14 private suites. Each wood-panelled bedroom has plush beds and a desk along with an ensuite bathroom with a shower and toilet, equipped with a heated seat. The train travels around the rural southern island of Kyushu, with a four-day, three-night package costing up to 1.13m yen ($11,000) per couple.
HK bans shark fin at feasts
HONG KONG: Hong Kong’s government said yesterday it would stop serving shark fin at official functions as “a good example”, following years of lobbying by conservation groups. The southern Chinese city is one of the world’s biggest markets for shark fin, which is viewed by many Asians as a delicacy and is often served as a soup at expensive Chinese banquets. Along with shark fin, bluefin tuna will also fall under the ban, which was prompted by what authorities called “conservation concerns”.
Royal slur man acquitted
BANGKOK: A court yesterday acquitted a man held for nearly a year under royal defamation laws after his brother accused him of insulting the king in their home. The case raised concerns among rights activists that a suspect could be held without bail for so long under the lese majeste rules, on the basis of one person’s allegations of remarks made in private. Bangkok’s Criminal Court dismissed the case against Yuthapoom Martnok, 36, who was accused of defaming the king while watching television at home in 2009, his lawyer Saovalux Pongam said. “The judge said the brother had serious conflicts with the defendant, therefore the court must treat the plaintiff’s testimony cautiously,” Saovalux added. AGENCIES
