Syed Saddiq issued letter of demand over allegations to destabilise Bersatu

PETALING JAYA: Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman (pic) has been served a letter of demand over an allegation of plans to destabilise Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia four years ago.

Businessman Habibul Rahman Kadir Shah issued the letter to Syed Saddiq on Friday (Sept 17) for allegedly making defamatory statements against him.

Syed Saddiq, who was then Bersatu youth chief, had alleged that there was a “systematic” attempt to influence Bersatu leaders in quitting the party in 2017.

According to the letter, Habibul Rahman contended that the statements were made during a press conference at the Seri Pacific Hotel in Kuala Lumpur on Oct 2, 2017.

During the press conference, Syed Saddiq said he had turned down a scholarship offer to pursue a Master's degree at Oxford University to remain in politics.

He also claimed there was a conspiracy to weaken Bersatu and its leaders by “threatening or bribing”, including threats against him and his parents.

The letter of demand contended that statements made against Habibul Rahman, whom Syed Saddiq referred to as “a senior advisor” to a prominent politician and “someone influential”, had allegedly injured his public reputation as a public figure and company director.

Among Habibul Rahman’s demands were for Syed Saddiq to publish a suitably worded apology in a newspaper or media of the businessman’s choice within nine days over the alleged statements.

The letter also demanded Syed Saddiq to make an undertaking not to repeat the alleged statements, and to make an offer of damages to be paid to Habibul Rahman.

If the demands were not met, the letter said they will initiate legal actions against Syed Saddiq.