KUALA LUMPUR: Tired of seeing her name dragged through the mud, actress Ruhainies has mounted a massive RM9 million legal fightback against netizens spreading online defamation.
The 34-year-old star revealed she is taking decisive legal action against three identified individuals over viral rumours alleging an affair with a high-profile figure (VIP).
To protect her reputation and restore her honour, Ruhainies engaged EzriLaw Firm's Mohd Haizal Ayop and Azainie & Fakhrul's Fakhrul Azman Abu Hasan to spearhead proceedings, Berita Harian reported.
Speaking at a press conference yesterday, Mohd Haizal confirmed that a Letter of Demand has been served on the three individuals, giving them a strict seven-day deadline to comply or face full-scale civil lawsuits.
"Our client intends to claim RM3 million in damages from each individual, excluding any other relief that may be requested and granted by the court," Mohd Haizal said.
Besides demanding the immediate deletion of defamatory content, the legal team requires a formal written undertaking that the individuals will never publish defamatory posts about Ruhainies again.
They must also issue an unconditional, face-to-face public apology at a dedicated press conference and publish apologies across all their social media channels.
Failure to comply within seven days will see the legal team proceed straight to civil court.
The move follows a wave of comments on platforms like Threads falsely claiming she was financially supported by a VIP — posts that garnered up to 2.7 million views and over 1,400 shares.
Ruhainies also lodged a police report at Dang Wangi district police headquarters.
Legal counsel Fakhrul Azman disclosed that police have opened an investigation file under Section 500 of the Penal Code for defamation and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 for misuse of network facilities.
"We understand that in a few days, the individuals named in the report will be summoned to Dang Wangi police station to give their statements," Fakhrul Azman said, adding that details regarding two more identified individuals and further evidence would be submitted.
For Ruhainies, the fallout has wiped out lucrative brand endorsements and taken a heavy toll on her personal well-being.
"The losses are estimated to reach millions of ringgit because it involves many brands and collaborative projects. Some have been cancelled, while others have been postponed," she lamented.
"But my main focus right now is my mental health, not just the money. When your mental state is disrupted, work and daily life suffer. This doesn't just affect me, but my family too."
Addressing the allegations, the actress challenged her detractors to provide actual proof.
"I don't know where these allegations came from. Their intention was simply to damage my reputation and tarnish my name.
"I'm not saying my name has been completely clean all this while. But just because my name was tarnished in the past doesn't mean people can keep vilifying me," she said.
Ruhainies added: "I feel the accusations are extreme. If this is true, where is the proof? If this could be proven, I would be scared to take legal action myself. I am brave because I am in the right."
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