Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Selangor MB sues Govt, MACC and its chief

KUALA LUMPUR: Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim is suing the Government, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) and its chief commissioner Datuk Seri Ahmad Said Hamdan for defamation over statements that he had abused his power as mentri besar.

His lawyer Sankaran Nair said Khalid was seeking compensatory damages, aggravated damages, exemplary damages, general damages and special damages, with the quantum as deemed fit by the court in order to “clear his good name.”

“... Khalid is not seeking financial compensation, but he wants to clear his good name,” Sankaran told reporters after filing the writ of summons at the High Court Registry at about 3pm here Monday.

On Feb 20, Ahmad Said told the press that MACC had “evidence of misused power” to show that Khalid had abused his powers over the maintenance of his personal car and the purchase of 46 cows for Hari Raya Aidiladha.

Khalid claimed that the statement was defamatory in nature and meant that he was a dishonest person, a liar, untrustworthy, unprincipled, corrupt, unethical, and an unfit politician who had committed a criminal offence.

He also claimed that the defendant’s statement instigated public hatred against him and lowered his esteem in the eyes of the public.

He had filed similar suits against former Selangor mentri besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Khir Toyo and Gerakan Rakyat Anti-Korupsi (Gerak) chairman Mohd Nazree Mohd Yunus over the same issue in February and March, respectively.

Sankaran added that he had written to MACC twice on his client’s behalf on Feb 26, and March 19, seeking an explanation.

“Unfortunately, to this date they have not responded and having no choice and in seeking to vindicate his good name and reputation, our clients files this libel suit today,” he said.

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