Caprice ordered to pay Ebit Lew RM220,000, apologize for defamation

Rapper Caprice, whose real name is Ariz Ramli, has been ordered by the Sessions Court in Shah Alam to issue a public apology and pay RM220,000 in damages to preacher Ebit Lew for defamation. The ruling stems from statements Caprice made three years ago, which Lew alleged were defamatory.

In addition to the apology and financial penalty, Judge Zuhrian Mohamed Nor instructed Caprice to remove statements he posted with Indonesian influencer Mondy Tattoo within 48 hours. Caprice is also prohibited from making any future statements concerning Ebit Lew, whose full name is Ebit Irawan Ibrahim Lew. The court found Caprice's counterclaim to be without merit and dismissed it.

The defamation suit was initiated by Ebit Lew, who claimed that Caprice, also a humanitarian activist, published a video featuring Mondy Tattoo on September 15, 2023. Lew alleged that the video implied he had engaged in sexual harassment and exploitation of women, and was a religious opportunist. Lew further stated that Caprice published the video maliciously without verifying the facts with him or his lawyers, leading to numerous negative comments on Caprice's YouTube channel.

Lew contended that the defamatory statements made by Caprice and Mondy caused him to be subjected to criticism, mockery, and humiliation. Police had previously been called to investigate allegations of sexual harassment and defamation involving Ebit Lew, Mondy Tattoo, and Caprice in September 2023. Following the court's decision, Ebit Lew expressed his gratitude on Facebook, stating, "Alhamdulillah, I won the lawsuit against Caprice. He has been ordered to apologize for defamation and pay a total of RM220,000."