Summons served on land-rights lawyer and party leader

By Tony Thien

Malaysiakini

2007-05-31 | Two Sarawak PKR leaders were today served with a writ of summons by Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud for alleged defamation.

Lawyers acting for Taib served the writ on Wan Zainal Abidin Wan Senusi and See Chee How for alleged defamation by printing, publishing and distributing of leaflets containing articles relating to timber 'kickbacks' scandal involving Japanese shipping companies.

A process server of Reddi and Co Advocates, a local firm acting for Taib, personally served the summons on the two at state PKR headquaters in Kuching this morning.

Also present were several other state PKR liaison committee members, including secretary Idris Bohari , information chief Abang Zulkifli and Dr Francis Ngui.

In the accompanying statement of claim, Taib made no mention of the original report that first appeared in Japan Times on March 29, 2007 on the alleged payment of 1.1 billion Yen (RM32 million) 'timber rebates'.

Taib further claimed that the articles (in English, Babasa Malaysia and Chinese) in the leaflets contained words that were defamatory to him and injurious to his reputation.

He added that he has suffered distress and embarrassment and hurt to his feelings, has been lowered in his estimation of the public and right-thinking members of society generally, and has been brought into public scandal, odium, contempt and ridicule by the leaflets.

He said that the defendants had ignored his letter of demand sent on April 20, 2007, demanding retraction of the articles and an apology.

Taib is claiming unspecified damages (including aggravated damages and exemplary damages), an injunction restraining the defendants from publishing similar leaflets, articles and words in the future, interests, costs and such other relief as the court deems fit.

Ready for fight

Wan Zainal, the state PKR liaison chief, told reporters that they were going to defend themselves against the suit and that a team of lawyers would be assisting them.

"This marks the beginning of our struggle against corruption," he said, adding that "as far as we are concerned the party intend to make the fight against corruption as its top agenda".

He added: "We will continue with out struggle in the fight against corruption. We will not be scared."

See Chee How, a lawyer, said the party would use the process of law to get into the bottom of the whole thing.

He added that they would be required to put an appearance within 10 days of receiving the summons and another 14 days thereafter to put in the affidavits when they file their defence.

Malaysiakini too was served a similar writ yesterday by Taib's lawyers.

Reference Links

• Writ of summons for Download