Shahrizat files RM100 mln defamation suit against PKR duo

0

FIGHTS BACK: Shahrizat filed a RM100 million defamation suit against Zuraida and Mohd Rafizi over alleged defamatory statements against her in relation to National Feedlot Project. She filed the suit at the Civil High Court Registry via law firm Messrs Shafee & Co. Seen here is Datuk Seri Dr Muhammad Shafee Abdullah arriving at the High Court to file the suit on behalf on his client. — Bernama photo

KUALA LUMPUR: Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil yesterday filed a RM100 million defamation suit against Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) Wanita chief Zuraida Kamaruddin and PKR director of strategy Mohd Rafizi Ramli over alleged defamatory statements against her in relation to the National Feedlot Project (NFC) issue.

She filed the suit at the Civil High Court Registry at about 3pm through law firm Messrs Shafee & Co.

Shahrizat, currently on three weeks’ leave to facilitate investigation by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) into the NFC controversy, is claiming RM50 million as general damages and another RM50 million for aggravated and exemplary damages from both defendants.

She is also seeking an injunction to restrain the defendants from making further statements whether oral or by way of publication against her in connection with any matters related to the National Feedlot Corporation Sdn Bhd (NFC) or associated companies.

She is also seeking legal cost and further reliefs deemed fit by the court.

In the statement of claim, Shahrizat had stated that at all times she did not hold any position with the NFC and both defendants had started holding press conferences at various locations in slandering NFC, her husband Datuk Seri Mohamad Salleh Ismail and family.

The Wanita Umno chief claimed that the defendants had systematically and maliciously launched a campaign to “attack, discredit, malign and defame the plaintiff” by spreading vicious, slanderous and libelous allegations against her.

She added that the first defendant (Mohd Rafizi) had authored and published various articles in his blog www.rafiziramli.com.

Shahrizat claimed that the said articles were understood to mean that she had committed some serious legal or moral transgressions and that she was involved in the award process of the feedlot project to NFC.

She also claimed that the second defendant (Zuraida) had issued various libelous statements via press statements reported in the mainstream media and as well as in the official news  website of PKR www.keadilandaily.com.

Shahrizat had contended that the second defendant had expressed and implied knowledge and with the intention that her words would be published and repeated in the media.

She strongly believed that Zuraida’s words meant that NFC could not have obtained the National Feedlot Project if not for the fact she (Shahrizat) was the Umno Wanita chief or a cabinet minister.

As a result of the wide circulation and publication by both defendants, the plaintiff contended she been seriously defamed, suffered considerable loss, hurt and embarrassment to her good name as a person, politician, minister and Wanita Umno chief.

Shahrizat’s counsel Datuk Seri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah told reporters that his client strongly felt that the culture of impunity in relation to making defamatory statements and rumour mongering must stop. — Bernama