Dr Zakir Naik has accused Penang Deputy Chief Minister II P Ramasamy of using him to uplift his standing in DAP.
The Muslim preacher stated this in his second legal notice, dated Aug 23, to the Perai assemblyperson over the latter's remarks in an interview with an Indian news organisation.
“We are instructed to reiterate that the defamatory remarks are clearly actuated by malice, hatred, envy, spite and/or motivated to shore up your sagging popularity in your political party after being sidelined in the party elections.
“Clearly, we are instructed to state that the said defamatory statements bear a strong connotation that you had deliberately abused your position as deputy chief minister II of Penang,” read the notice from legal firm Akberdin & Co.
In an immediate response, Ramasamy reiterated that he is prepared to confront the Indian-born preacher in court.
“My stand is clear. I don't do U-turns like others. I am firm that Zakir should be deported back to India. I am prepared to meet him in court. I won't run and hide,” he told Malaysiakini this afternoon.
Although he did not mention names, it is believed that Ramasamy's U-turn remark was aimed at Youth and Sports Minister Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman (photo), who hosted a dinner for Zakir over the weekend and urged Malaysians to move on since the preacher had apologised.
Previously, Syed Saadiq had said Zakir should be deported for his remarks concerning Hindu Malaysians and Chinese Malaysians during a ceramah in Kelantan on Aug 8.
Meanwhile, Zakir's second legal notice referred to several of Ramasamy's remarks in his Aug 20 interview with India Today.
Among others, the DAP leader had dismissed the preacher's apology as “half-hearted”, accused him of attempting to “camouflage his attacks on non-Muslims” and described him as a “venom and poison to Malaysia.”
Apart from this, Zakir also took offence with Ramasamy calling him a “theologian hatemonger” and a “coward” who should face charges in India instead of absconding to another country.
“We are instructed to state that by publishing the said defamatory statements, you have manifestly imputed our client is a person of bad character and has become a threat to national security, peace and harmony of the country.
“The ramifications created by the said defamatory articles are unfounded, untrue and defamatory in nature, and constitute a grave and bitter libel and/or slander upon our client,” read the notice.
According to the notice, Ramasamy (photo) had “twisted and manipulated” Zakir's true intention with regard to his speech in Kelantan, and also embellished it to further a personal vendetta.
“We are further instructed by our client that by publishing the said defamatory statements, you have incited and/or ignited and/or provoked racial, religious or ethnic sensitivities among Malaysians in general.
“In the premises, we are instructed by our client that the said defamatory statements which were made in your capacity as deputy chief minister II of Penang had insinuated and/or motivated certain groups of people to hold a mass gathering on Aug 24 at Brickfields under the pretext of a 'peaceful gathering' in order to gain support to cause racial discord and/or racial disharmony,” it added.
In view of this, Zakir wanted Ramasamy, among others, to publish an unreserved apology in his social media accounts within 48 hours of receiving the notice.
The notice also demanded that Ramasamy, within the stipulated timeframe, make an offer of a reasonable sum of settlement to Zakir for the damage, embarrassment, humiliation and dishonour caused by the statements.
“Failing which, we have our client's strict instructions to initiate legal proceedings against you, including injunctive reliefs, damages and/or any other such relief with costs and interests without any further reference to you,” said the legal firm.
Previously, Zakir also sent legal notices to Human Resources Minister M Kulasegaran, Klang MP Charles Santiago, Bagan Dalam assemblyperson Satees Muniandy and former ambassador Dennis J Ignatius.
The preacher has also lodged police reports against Ramasamy and the four. - Mkini
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