KUALA LUMPUR — Lawyer and activist Siti Kasim was awarded RM160,000 in damages after the High Court ruled her 2016 arrest and detention by Jawi officers during a private fundraising event were unlawful.

Judge Su Tiang Joo ordered Jawi, 15 of its officers, and seven others to pay RM100,000 in exemplary damages, RM60,000 in aggravated damages, plus RM100,000 in legal costs.

The court found Siti, full name Siti Zabedah Kasim, had proven wrongful arrest, false imprisonment, and abuse of power by the officers, who failed to lawfully exercise their authority during the raid.

Siti filed the suit in 2019, citing violation of her constitutional right to personal liberty. She was acquitted in 2020 of obstructing public servants, as no prima facie case was established.