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 of an international hospital.
Supreme Court chief Harifin Andi Tumpa said Friday that the court rejected the civil lawsuit against her, which was filed by Omni International Hospital in Serpong, Tangerang, Banten province.
Previously, the hospital filed an appeal against Prita in the Supreme Court. Omni reportedly demanded that the court require Prita to pay Rp 20 billion for defamation.
“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.
However, Harifin did not provide detailed information as to why the court ruled for Prita. “I don’t remember the details,” he said.
In August 2008, Prita sent an email to her relatives and friends, complaining of poor medical treatment and customer service from the hospital. The email’s content spread across the Internet in various forms such as mailing lists and forums.
In September 2008, Omni International Hospital filed civil and criminal lawsuits against her. The Tangerang Prosecutors’ Office charged her with the Criminal Code and the law on Internet and electronic transactions, which carries a maximum five years imprisonment. The prosecutors later detained Prita, which drew public attention as she was mother to two children.
In May 2009, the Tangerang District Court ruled in favor of the hospital in the civil lawsuit. The ruling required Prita to pay around Rp 340 million to the hospital. At this time, Prita’s plight started garnering public sympathy. The outburst of public support through mailing lists and Facebook led to the “Coin for Prita” movement to help her pay the damages through donations. The public managed to collect more than Rp 800 million, which Prita gave to a non-profit cause.
Following the high pressure, the Tangerang District Court acquitted Prita of all criminal charges
in June last year. The civil lawsuit, however, went on to Banten High Court, which ruled in favor of the hospital although decreasing the fine from Rp 340 million to Rp 204 million.
Prita then lodged an appeal to the Supreme Court, and her latest legal attempt was challenged by Omni Hospital with its demand for Rp 2 billion on appeal, which the court struck down Friday.
Prita said the court’s decision to free her of the obligation to pay damages for defamation was a relief not only to her but her family. “This has been a burden. My family and I are now relieved, and I know that the court’s ruling Friday is important for our future,” Prita said as quoted by detik.com.
