Teresa Kok files defamation suit against Jamal

KUALA LUMPUR: Seputeh MP Teresa Kok is suing Sungai Besar Umno division chief Datuk Jamal Md Yunos for alleged defamation over claims she misused a fund.

She filed the suit at the High Court registry on Wednesday.

Kok, who is national DAP vice-president, claimed that Jamal defamed her at a press conference on March 8.

His statements were also published on social media and in newspapers both locally and abroad, she said.

She alleged the statements were still on Jamal’s Facebook page and YouTube.

In her statement of claim, Kok said the contents of his post were republished online in Malaysiakini on March 14, under the heading “Jamal claims S’gor, FT reps used Yawas funds for personal gain”.

Yawas is the Selangor Children’s Heritage Foundation.

Kok claimed that Jamal’s words meant she had misused her power and acted unfairly, abused the state government’s fund for personal gain, and that she was unethical, a person without principles and corrupt.

She said that the allegation was improper and baseless and that the statement was made with bad intention, was untrue, intentional and done without caution, and it had injured her reputation.

She is seeking RM1mil in general damages; as well as compensatory, aggravated and exemplary damages.

Also, she wants an injunction to prevent Jamal from speaking, writing or publishing the said statements, as well as causing them to be published.