FT minister demands apology from MP and Malaysiakini

 

FT minister Annuar Musa has denied land sales by DBKL as alleged by Cheras MP Tan Kok Wai.

PETALING JAYA: Federal Territories Minister Annuar Musa today has issued a notice of demand to news portal Malaysiakini and Cheras MP Tan Kok Wai to retract and apologise for statements and reports over claims he had sold 42 assets belonging to Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) in the past eight months.

He said his legal firm had sent the demand letter to Tan, Malaysiakini and its editor-in-chief regarding the purported land transactions.

At a recent press conference at Parliament, Tan had said that 42 plots of land belonging to DBKL had been sold after Annuar became minister and he demanded an explanation.

Tan said many plots were sold to private entities to be developed into housing, commercial and other projects. “We are shocked that the minister has approved these sales in such a short time,” he said.

However, Annuar said he had not approved a single sale of assets since being appointed as minister, and that Tan’s claims had misled the people and “caused all sorts of allegations” to be levelled against him.

Annuar said he was “very disappointed and saddened” by Tan’s “very serious” allegations, adding that Tan had had the chance to raise the matter in the Dewan Rakyat but chose to do it at a press conference instead.

“Actions outside Parliament are subject to the law. So, I have instructed my lawyers to take legal action against Tan, because I view these allegations seriously,” Annuar told reporters at Parliament.

MPs have parliamentary immunity from defamation actions for statements made during parliamentary proceedings. - FMT