Raja Nong Chik, Nurul Izzah heading to court after mediation effort fails

The defamation suit filed by former Federal Territories and Urban Wellbeing minister Datuk Seri Raja Nong Chik Raja Zainal Abidin (pic) against Lembah Pantai MP Nurul Izzah Anwar for her alleged statements involving a land transaction at Bukit Kiara failed to be settled through mediation today.

Counsel K. Shanmuga who was representing Nurul Izzah, told the media that Raja Nong Chik, Nurul Izzah and Malaysiakini could not agree on the terms of settlement.

In this regard, the case would proceed to trial before Justice Datin Yeoh Wee Siam, although the date had not been set, he said.

Raja Nong Chik when met by the media, said he would prove his claims that Nurul Izzah's alleged statements had tarnished his reputation and that of his family.

Meanwhile, Nurul Izzah indicated that she was ready to defend her alleged statements.

The mediation process was convened before Justice Zainal L. Salleh at the Kuala Lumpur Court mediation centre.

Raja Nong Chik filed the suit on July 17 last year citing Nurul Izzah, Mkini Dotcom Sdn Bhd, which is owned by news portal, Malaysiakini, and Malaysiakini journalist Lu Wei Hoon as defendants.

In his statement of claim, Raja Nong Chik alleged that Nurul Izzah had in a press conference at Bangunan Bakti, Taman Tun Dr Ismail here on May 4 last year, made defamatory as well as false statements against him pertaining to a land transaction.

He claimed that Nurul Izzah's statements were posted on the Malaysiakini website the same day, May 4, on the eve of the 13th general election (GE13).

In GE13 on May 5 last year, Nurul Izzah won the Lembah Pantai parliamentary seat with a majority of 1,847 votes over Raja Nong Chik. – Bernama