Legal action looms for netizens defaming family in baby freezer case - Lawyer

SHAH ALAM - Legal action is set to be taken against netizens who defamed the family of a baby boy whose body was stored in a freezer at a private hospital in Selangor last Tuesday.

Lawyer Datuk Ahmad Zaharil Muhaiyar, representing the baby’s father, Safwan Roshdy, 22, said that they had given the individuals until midnight on Thursday to retract statements made on social media.

According to him, several social media account holders who spread defamatory remarks against his client, including allegations of being unmarried, have been identified.

“We have verified the marriage certificate of my client with the Perlis Islamic Religious Affairs Department (JAIPs) and confirmed that the certificate is valid.

"We gave three hours (until midnight on Thursday) to delete the posts or comments (containing defamatory statements).

"Do not make shallow assumptions. We have already identified them, including those who conducted live broadcasts on TikTok and so on," he said during a TikTok live broadcast here on Thursday night.

In addition, Zaharil said that his party would lodge a police report soon over the statements issued before taking legal action against the hospital.

He clarified that civil and criminal lawsuits could potentially be filed against the hospital for the offence of storing the baby’s body for 16 days due to the father’s failure to settle the medical bill.

“We will wait and obtain findings from further investigations by the police and the Health Ministry regarding this matter,” he said.

Meanwhile, Safwan admitted feeling sad and disappointed as various accusations were hurled at them, including allegations of not being married, as well as insults and ridicule.

Safwan added that he and his wife decided to take legal action against those involved and have entrusted the matter to their lawyer.