Supplier sues over FB post

SHAH ALAM: A food supplier is suing a Facebook account holder for alleged defamation over its Kopiko products.

Inbisco Marketing & Sales Sdn Bhd, the exclusive supplier for food products such as Kopiko, Danisa and Choki Choki, claimed that it had spent RM76mil to promote Kopiko products in Malaysia in the last three years.

It added that Kopiko had also received the “Superbrands Award” in 2013.

The distributor claimed that Ab Rahman Nordin Jalaludin, 53, had on Feb 4 last year posted a defamatory statement on Facebook about two Kopiko products, attached with a photograph.

The posting, said the plaintiff, chalked up 33,531 shares on Facebook since June 19.

The supplier said the statement had implied that Kopiko products were not halaland had not been certified by the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim) or any authorities.

It claimed that the posting had portrayed the supplier as cheating consumers, especially Muslims, and it was false.

It maintained that its products only contained emulsifier obtained from vegetable fat.

The supplier also said that Jakim had issued a statement on Facebook recognising that its products were halal and safe for consumption by all Muslims.

Inbisco said the defendant’s action had caused it to suffer not only financial losses but also damage to its reputation and good name.

In the notice of application, the supplier sought an injunction order to restrain Ab Rahman or his representatives from making further defamatory statements about its products.

In an affidavit-in-support on Sept 17, the company’s marketing director Poon Soo Yee said the publication was untrue and malicious.

Poon said the publication had affected the sales of their products, saying that the posting was still available and shared by other Facebook users.

Among others, they want an injunction order to stop any false statement against them and their products pending disposal of the civil matter here.

Yesterday, High Court judge Justice Hadhariah Syed Ismail granted Inbisco an interim injunction upon submissions by their lawyers.

When asked by The Star, the supplier’s lead counsel Joshua Kevin said an inter-parte injunction hearing was fixed for Nov 3.

“I am checking with the Inland Revenue Board and other government departments to find out the defendant’s latest address in order to serve the court papers on him,” he added.