Zahid Hamidi files defamation suit against Rafizi

KUALA LUMPUR: Defence Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi is suing PKR strategic director Mohd Rafizi Ramli for allegedly defaming him in his blog.

He alleged that the defamatory article in the blog had linked him to land deals in relation to businessman Deepak Jaikishan.

Dr Zahid Hamidi said Mohd Rafizi had falsely and maliciously written and published the article in his blog known as RafiziRamlidotcom.

He said the article meant that he misused public funds, particularly the contributions of army personnel in Lembaga Tabung Angkatan Tentera.

He filed the lawsuit at the High Court civil registry at 9.20am through his lead counsel Datuk Saseedharan Menon.

Speaking to reporters here, Saseedharan said his client took legal action to clear his name as the article was completely untrue.

Dr Zahid Hamidi said the article would erode confidence in him in Barisan Nasional and among the public in the coming general election.

The Bagan Datoh MP said he gave notice through a solicitor’s letter dated Jan 15 to Mohd Rafizi to have the article withdrawn from his blog but he had failed to do so.

He is seeking damages for libel, a complete retraction of all defamatory comments as well as a full unequivocal public apology to be advertised in four newspapers of different languages for two consecutive days.

He is asking for an order that Mohd Rafizi remove the article from his blog.