Malaysia’s Court of Appeal has ruled that registered societies are unable to pursue defamation lawsuits. The decision stemmed from an appeal brought by Pertubuhan Ikram Malaysia. The court determined that registered societies do not possess independent legal personality. Consequently, they cannot claim to have a reputation capable of being defamed under Malaysian law. This ruling clarifies the legal limitations faced by organizations seeking redress for reputational damage. The judgment effectively prevents similar cases from being brought forward by registered societies in the future, establishing a precedent for defamation claims.