KUALA LUMPUR (July 14): Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor has sued comedian Harith Iskander over a stand-up comedy performance in which she claims he allegedly subjected her to body shaming, public ridicule and serious damage to her reputation.

In her statement of claim sighted by The Edge, filed on June 9, Rosmah alleged that during Harith’s “Harith Iskander: The Outspoken Comedy Tour” at the Swiss-Garden Hotel in Melaka on Jan 17, 2026, he displayed images of mythical creatures before showing her photograph as part of the performance.

Rosmah contended that statements were made “with malicious intent to degrade and damage the plaintiff’s good name” and to humiliate her through “body shaming”.

Rosmah said the remarks bore an innuendo that she “is an individual with evil, cruel and/or immoral characteristics”, “is feared, hated and looked down upon by society”, “can be equated with entities associated with evil, wickedness and/or supernatural elements”, and “is unworthy of honour, dignity or appreciation as a member of society”. 

She further said that the remarks by the seasoned comedian portrays her as an individual who deserves to be “humiliated, mocked and insulted before the public”, “does not possess credibility, authority and a good reputation in the eyes of society”, and “is someone who ought to be feared, avoided and viewed with suspicion by the public”.

Rosmah further claimed that the comparison was more serious because it was not made “in a neutral context or in the course of an ordinary discussion” but during a comedy show before a live audience “for the purpose of obtaining laughter and entertainment from the public”.

She alleges the remarks seriously affected her “reputation, dignity, good name, social standing and public image”, causing her to receive “criticism, sarcasm, ridicule and insults” after recordings of the performance were republished on social media.

According to the pleading, a TikTok user identified as @mayychan0303 uploaded two clips of the performance. The first allegedly attracted 219,700 views and 3,354 likes, while the second recorded 12,500 views and 145 likes before it was later removed.

She said that Harith knew or ought reasonably to have known that the performance could be recorded, disseminated and republished on social media, but nevertheless made the remarks “recklessly, carelessly and/or with malice”.

The statement of claim says Rosmah, through Messrs Hafarizam Wan & Aisha Mubarak, issued a letter of demand dated Feb 6, 2026 requiring Harith to cease making further defamatory statements, remove all publications containing the remarks, publish an unconditional apology and retraction, undertake not to repeat the statements, pay RM10 million in damages for the alleged harm to her reputation, and reimburse her legal costs.

In his statement of defence sighted by The Edge dated July 9, 2026, Harith denied that the remarks or visual displays during the performance were defamatory, malicious or capable of bearing the meanings alleged by Rosmah.

He contended that the statements and visuals “must be read, interpreted and understood in the full context” of the 90-minute live stand-up comedy performance, including “the entire comedy routine, narrative, delivery, tone, timing, audience reactions, audience interaction, disclaimers and house rules” presented before and during the show.

Harith admitted that images of mythical creatures were displayed as part of the comedy narrative but denied they portrayed Rosmah as “a ghostly creature, something frightening, evil, ugly, disgusting, inhuman or carried any defamatory meaning” as alleged in Rosmah’s statement of claim. 

The comedian also argued that Rosmah’s claim relied on two edited TikTok videos uploaded by user @mayychan0303 rather than the performance in its entirety.

He denied recording, uploading or publishing the clips, saying he did not know the TikTok account holder, had not authorised, encouraged or consented to the recordings or their dissemination, and had no control over their content or distribution.

According to the defence, the TikTok clips were recorded and uploaded without his knowledge or consent and in breach of his express instructions prohibiting audio or video recordings during the performance.

Harith further claimed that the videos were edited, incomplete and taken out of context, omitting “explanations, instructions, disclaimers and house rules” given before and during the show, including that the performance should be understood as comedy.

The defence statement states that before the show began, audience members were shown house rules and disclaimers stating, among others, “No video or audio recording. Enjoy the moment”, “This is comedy, not a personal attack. It is a public service — with better timing”, and “If you are easily offended, please leave your ego outside.”

Harith also pleaded that Rosmah’s image appeared only briefly for less than five seconds during the approximately 90-minute performance, and was neither the main subject nor recurring focus of the show.

Harith also cited Article 10(1)(a) of the Federal Constitution, arguing that the performance constituted artistic expression protected under the constitutional guarantee of freedom of speech, and that a mature democratic society should allow reasonable space for artistic expression, comedy and satire.

Harith denied acting with malice, saying the performance was presented solely for “entertainment, artistic expression and satire”, and not with the intention of damaging Rosmah’s reputation, dignity or good name.

Harith, through his lawyers Messrs Karpal Singh & Co, asked the High Court to dismiss Rosmah’s suit with costs.

A case management to the case was held before senior assistant registrar Anis Zainab Pawanteh on Tuesday (July 14), where she ordered Rosmah's lawyers to file a reply to Harith's defence by July 30.

Another case management will be held before Anis Zainab on July 31.

Rosmah was represented by Mohamed Baharudeen Mohamed Ariff from Messrs Hafarizam Wan Aisha Mubarak while Sangeet Kaur Deo from Messrs Karpal Singh appeared for Harith.