Najib threatens to sue Tony Pua over 1MDB
MalaysiaKini.com
Nov 21, 2014

Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak has threatened to sue DAP lawmaker Tony Pua for his remarks on the state-owned 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB).

A letter of demand served on Pua this afternoon claimed that he had defamed Najib in a Youtube video.

The video, entitled 'Tony Pua: Najib is creating the biggest scandal ever in the history of Malaysia', was recorded at a DAP fund-raising dinner in Petaling Jaya on Nov 3 and uploaded by Media Rakyat.

Pua had questioned why BN component parties did not dare challenge Najib, who chairs the 1MDB board of advisors, even though the multi-billion ringgit company was late in submitting its accounts.

Among others, Najib demanded an unequivocal written apology from Pua and a retraction of the alleged defamatory statements.

The letter, which was sighted by Malaysiakini, was issued by legal firm Hafarizam Wan and Aisha Mubarak.

Contacted later, Pua confirmed his office staff had received the letter of demand.

"My lawyer, Gobind Singh Deo is looking into the matter and would respond accordingly," he said.

Najib 'distressed and embarrassed'

The letter of demand said Pua's remarks had meant that Najib was not a “competent leader; is cruel, harsh, autocratic and not open to criticism; is tyrannical and oppressive and has created the biggest scandal in the country.”

It added that the statement also carried the meaning that Najib had "conspired against the country in bad practices; is a corrupt leader, robbed and misused the people's money and abused his power."

"Contrary to your defamatory statements above, our client (Najib) being the chairman of the board of advisors of 1MDB only renders advice to the board which is tasked for the management and operation of 1MDB, not a tyrannical and oppressive autocratic who is not open to criticism and shuns criticism, not a leader involved in corrupt practices and not a leader who robs the people's monies," read the letter.

It said Pua's statement was aimed at damaging Najib's goodwill and reputation for "no justifiable reason" and had caused the prime minister "tremendous distress and embarrassment."

It added that the apology and retraction are to be published in at least two national newspapers which page and size to be determined by Najib.

Pua was also asked to cease making any similar "defamatory statements" through a written undertaking.

Najib also wanted the alleged offending video to be removed as well as a "suitable sum" in compensation.

The letter added if Pua failed to respond to Najib's demands within 14 days, legal proceedings would be initiated.

Meanwhile, Media Rakyat confirms that they had received a letter of demand from Najib’s lawyer as well.

“Najib threatens to sue Media Rakyat over the 1MDB video. We have received a letter of demand from Najib’s lawyer this afternoon,” said Media Rakyat on its website.

The pro-opposition video site which was founded in 2007 produces clips related to current events and political speeches.

Najib has filed a law suit against independent online news portal Malaysiakini earlier this year over comments made by its subscribers.

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