Court favors Prita over Omni

The Supreme Court has overturned the high court ruling that Prita Mulyasari should pay Rp 204 million (US$22,863) in material and non-material damages for defamation against a hospital.

Supreme Court Chief Justice Harifin Andi Tumpa said on Friday that the court rejected the civil lawsuit against Prita, which was filed by Omni International Hospital in Serpong, Tangerang, Banten province.

“The court’s ruling today means that Prita is free from all obligations, as we reject the hospital’s lawsuit against her,” Harifin was quoted as saying by Antara news agency.

The hospital filed civil and criminal lawsuits against Prita for defamation in September 2008 after she posted her complaint  about the hospital's poor medical treatment.