Robert Phang sues Musa for RM100m

Robert Phang sues former IGP for alleging that he had interfered with the workings of the police force and also had links to the underworld.

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PETALING JAYA: Former MACC advisory council member Robert Phang has filed a RM100 million defamation suit against ex-IGP Musa Hassan for statements insinuating that the former had links to the underworld and had interfered with the workings of the police force.

Speaking to newsmen after filing the suit at the Shah Alam High Court registry, Phang said he decided to go ahead with the suit after giving Musa eight days to prove his allegations that Phang had a hand in the wrongful transfer of a senior police officer.

Phang said the suit will also restore his integrity and to clear the confusion that the Royal Malaysian Police Force (PDRM) was affiliated with gangsterism, as alleged by Musa.

He is suing Musa for a making a statement to the press on Dec 12, 2012. Musa had attacked Phang personally at the press conference, alleging that Phang had interfered with police personnel movements and was linked to criminal activities.

Phang subsequently sent a letter of demand to Musa, asking the former inspector-general of police to stop defaming him. The suit is a follow-up to the letter which Musa did not respond to or comply with.

“If you have the facts, then reveal it. Don’t fabricate stories. No matter what, the court will decide who’s the great liar. If the court were to decide in my favour, all proceeds will go to charity. I don’t want a single sen,” said Phang.

In his affidavit, Phang said that due to the allegations, he has been given the impression of being a liar and that he has the tendency to interfere with the workings of PDRM.

He claimed that the defamatory statements were wholly untrue, motivated by malice and aimed at lowering his esteem in the eyes of the public.

Phang is also suing for aggravated damages due to Musa’s allegations being published in the Internet for public viewing throughout the world.

Reckless statements

In support of his claim for exemplary damages, he said that Musa’s words were self-evidently serious and damaging in nature and was recklessly made.

An injunction has been submitted to restrain Musa whether by himself or his agents from further speaking or publishing statements concerning Phang.

Phang’s lawyer Sankara Nair, who accompanied him, told reporters that the former “just wants vindication” and that Musa needs to justify his claims.

Commenting on Musa’s claim recently that the current IGP Ismail Omar has been ignoring him, Phang said: “This is something that is strictly between the two. However, I think it is unbecoming of a retired IGP to belittle the current IGP.

“Never in the history of the police force has a former IGP belittled the present police chief… this is very unbecoming,” he added.

According to Phang, the crime rate from 2006 to 2009 was higher compared to 2011 and this must mean that the current IGP is doing a better job.

“The current IGP is in uniform. Hitting him below the belt is not fair,” he said.

Phang said that Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein and Ismail should address Musa’s allegations because if they are not addressed, it becomes a perception.

“The public will start thinking, hey, maybe there’s some truth to it. Saying that PDRM is involved in gangsterism is a serious allegation. You cannot just say things like that, you have to be responsible with what you say or else, things will get chaotic,” said Phang.