Maria Chin sues Jamal Yunos for defamation

Bersih 2.0 chairman Maria Chin.

KUALA LUMPUR: Bersih 2.0 chairman Maria Chin Abdullah (pic) is suing politician Datuk Seri Jamal Md Yunos for allegedly implying that the Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections is an agent of the Islamic State (IS) militant group.  

On Sept 28, Maria claimed that Jamal falsely uttered slanderous words against Bersih during a press conference at the Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC) compound.  

She said Jamal, who is also the president of Malay NGOs coalition and the Sungai Besar Umno division chief, had on Oct 4 uttered similar slanderous words against Bersih during a media conference at the Bukit Aman police headquarters.  

She said the statements were published by print media and various online news portals.  

Speaking to reporters here after the filing of the suit at the High Court civil registry Friday, her lead counsel N. Surendran claimed the words uttered by Jamal allegedly defamed Maria as she is Bersih chairman. 

"By accusing Bersih of such serious allegations, it is defamation of her.   

"We will question him (Jamal) and expose all these allegations against our client as being utter lies," said Surendran, who was accompanied by his co-counsel Melissa Sasidaran at the court complex here.  

In the statement of claim, Maria said she had been brought to public scandal, resulting in her reputation and good name to be tarnished by the defendant. 

Among others, Maria said the words meant that she abetted the terrorist group, was a criminal, and legal action should be taken against her.  

Maria said she had also sent a letter of demand through her solicitor on Oct 4 to Jamal asking for a retraction and an apology over the slanderous words.  

However, she said, it was reported by the media that Jamal had torn the letter of demand and flushed it down a toilet bowl at the Umno building in Shah Alam the next day.  

She is seeking general damages and aggravated damages, as well as an injunction to stop Jamal from uttering or publishing similar words, either verbally, in print media, or through the Internet.