KLANG: The lawyer of a food delivery rider involved in the controversial capture attempt of a stray dog named Rocky last month has threatened to sue several people, including social media influencers, for defamation.
Lawyer Muhammad Rafique Rashid Ali, representing 24-year-old Muhammad Shah Idham Nor Haikal Shaharom, said the individuals had been identified as among those who posted defamatory remarks about his client, which he claimed had resulted in threats against him.
"Please tell me, where is the word ‘murder’? Where is the word ‘torture’? Where is the word ‘hit’ or ‘hit so hard that it caused death’?
“We are in the process. Many people have written various things, and they come from different walks of life. Some are current or former Members of Parliament,” he said at a press conference at the Klang Sessions Court lobby here on Thursday (Aug 20).
He also urged those who had labelled Shah Idham as cruel or an animal killer to issue public apologies.
However, when asked whether those who had apologised would be spared legal action, Rafique said it would depend on the nature of the apology.
“When they speak, make statements or write things, the impact is not only on them, but on Shah Idham, his family, friends and even residents in the area in terms of security threats.
“Sometimes, everything is labelled as though only one race is to blame. We want to be frank about this,” he said.
Rafique said there had been no further development regarding a police report lodged previously over threats against Shah Idham.
Earlier, it was reported that Shah Idham, a volunteer in the dog catching operation, and the woman alleged to be the owner of Rocky, S. Roghini Devi, 42, claimed trial at the Sessions Court here.
According to the charge, Shah Idham allegedly unreasonably strangled the male dog using a looped rope, causing pain to the animal.
Roghini, meanwhile, faces two charges of allegedly unreasonably pulling the same dog and keeping the animal without a licence.
