DAP lawmaker Teresa Kok has warned Sungai Besar Umno division chief Jamal Yunos to rein in his rhetoric or face fresh legal consequences.
This came after he suggested that Kok use the money he was going to pay her for a court-ordered debt related to a defamation suit to open a pig farm at her home.
“Let me state clearly: for a long time, I have exercised patience and restraint. I have chosen not to respond to every provocation or irresponsible statement because I do not believe Malaysians benefit from endless political attacks or attempts to manufacture controversy for personal attention.
“However, what is now deeply concerning is that these are not merely political comments or casual criticism.
“What is especially regrettable is the crude and morally irresponsible manner in which Jamal continues to speak, including his attempt to mock and trivialise a sum that has been ordered by the court,” she said in a statement today.
The Seputeh MP said turning compliance with a court decision into a vulgar insinuation was not only offensive but demonstrated a troubling disregard for basic decency and respect for the judicial process.
“This is not legitimate criticism. It is deliberate provocation and character attack through degrading and irresponsible language.
“More importantly, there is already a High Court injunction in place. The continued repetition or republication of defamatory remarks in defiance of a court order is a serious matter. Court orders are not optional, and no individual is above the law,” she added.
Reflect and repent
Expressing hope that Jamal would reflect and cease making defamatory remarks, Kok cautioned that further breaches could trigger legal action.
“If these defamatory statements continue, and if there is any further breach of the High Court injunction, then I will have no choice but to instruct my lawyers to take the necessary legal action, including contempt proceedings, to uphold the authority of the court and to protect my reputation and integrity.
“This is not a step I take lightly, but it may become unavoidable if such irresponsible conduct persists,” she added.
Yesterday, it was revealed that Jamal had raised RM66,000 to settle outstanding court costs from a defamation suit brought by Kok by auctioning his infamous “protest towel” and a single slipper.
Following the private auction, the Umno man offered Kok unsolicited entrepreneurial advice - to use the money to start a pig farm.
He also said the successful bidder of the slipper will “gift it” to Kok.
Jamal insisted that the auction was an act of dignity rather than desperation, arguing that Kok had overstepped by enforcing the court order when, in his view, a settlement arrangement was already in place.
On Jan 28, police officers were instructed to effect a forced entry into Jamal’s home in Ampang to recover the outstanding judgment cost, which he complained resulted in a broken gate.
Jamal questioned Kok’s decision to pursue forced entry, saying it was excessive just for an outstanding sum of RM66,061.85.
Defaming Teresa
In 2022, the Kuala Lumpur High Court ordered Jamal to pay RM300,000 in damages and RM50,000 legal costs to Kok over statements he made during a press conference concerning Yayasan Warisan Anak Selangor funds.
Kok, in her suit, alleged that Jamal had implied she misappropriated state government funds for personal gain and portrayed her as unethical.
Jamal then appealed against the High Court’s verdict. The Court of Appeal dismissed his appeal in 2024 and directed him to pay RM50,000 in costs.
On March 29, 2023, a different Court of Appeal panel allowed Jamal to defer payment of the RM300,000 damages, but ordered him to deposit the sum with Kok’s law firm pending the outcome of his Federal Court appeal.
On July 30, 2024, the Federal Court rejected Jamal’s application for leave to appeal, ruling that it did not meet the threshold under Section 96 of the Courts of Judicature Act 1964. - Mkini
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