Teresa Kok sues Azwanddin for defamation over temple issue

KUALA LUMPUR (Bernama): Primary Industries Minister Teresa Kok has filed a suit against  Datuk Azwanddin Hamzah over a defamatory speech linking her in the land dispute involving the Seafield Sri Maha Mariamman temple.

Kok filed the suit through the legal firm, S.N. Nair  and  Partners, at the High Court Registry here on Tuesday (Jan 8).

She named Azwanddin in his personal capacity and as the Pertubuhan Jaringan Melayu Malaysia (JMM) president as the first and second defendants.

In her statement of claim, Kok said that on Dec 25 at a rally held at Dataran Seni Klang, Selangor, Azwanddin had made  a speech  which among others included defamatory words, libel and lies about her.

The plaintiff claimed that the speech was carried on online media portals both locally and internationally.

She contended that the speech, in its ordinary and natural meaning, were understood to mean among others that she was a racist, had abused her powers as a minister, acted unfairly, was a dishonest minister, unethical and had no principles.

Kok claimed that the speech was untrue, malicious, deliberate and had been done without due regard to the truth of the matter and was seriously  prejudicial to her reputation.

She further claimed that the defendant had caused the publication of the speech with the motive of defaming her in her personal and official capacity.

The Seputeh MP also claimed that it had been made mala fide (in bad faith) and with a malicious intention.

Kok contended that the speech was published with the purpose of inciting the public and cause ill-will towards the plaintiff, and it was played out irresponsibly to the public.

She also said it was specifically made to achieve cheap publicity, to create chaos and possible physical  and other harm to the plaintiff.

As a result, it had caused the plaintiff  to suffer distress, anxiety and shame, for which the plaintiff was entitled to aggravated and exemplary damages, she said.

Kok said she had on Dec 26 and 31, 2018 sent a letter of demand through her solicitor demanding the defendant retract, apologise and pay damages to her, but it was ignored  and refused.

The plaintiff is seeking costs, general,  aggravated and exemplary damages as well as an injunction to restrain the defendants either through agents and/or any other persons from further uttering, writing or publishing  the same speech. - Bernama