PM is killing the messenger by suing MediaRakyat

MediaRakyat owner Chan Chee Kong says the lawsuit is unfair and unjust as they were merely “reporting the news”.

KUALA LUMPUR: Owner of news portal MediaRakyat, Chan Chee Kong, has called the defamation lawsuit filed against him and PJ Utara MP Tony Pua by Prime Minister Najib Razak and his wife Rosmah Mansor “unfair and unjust” as they were “doing no more than reporting the news”.

Najib filed the suit at the KL High Court civil registry last month through Messrs Hafarizam Wan & Aisha Mubarak.

The suit accused Chan or his agents of uploading onto MediaRakyat’s YouTube channel and webpage a slanderous speech delivered by Pua at a DAP-fundraising dinner on November 3 last year relating to 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB).

“Datuk Seri Najib is unfair and unjust for victimising MediaRakyat for telecasting or streaming a speech or comment by a person of public interest,” said Chan in a statement today.

“If you have an issue with what someone said, take it up with that person, not the person who holds the camera.”

Chan stressed that MediaRakyat’s role was to provide a platform to all “who often may not have an opportunity through traditional media to get their views heard” and that they were committed to improving freedom of information in Malaysia.

“Suing MediaRakyat is therefore an infringement to the freedom of the press in Malaysia. There can be no democracy without a free press,” said Chan.

“We hope the Prime Minister will understand that a free and open media is critical to a democracy.”

He also offered Najib free airtime to respond to the video and have his say about Pua’s speech, saying that MediaRakyat was committed towards providing news coverage for all, irrespective of political affiliation, race or religion.

Chan and MediaRakyat will be engaging solicitors for their legal response to the lawsuit.

Originally entitled “Tony Pua: Najib Is Creating The Biggest Scandal Ever In The History Of Malaysia” the video can now also be found on the MediaRakyat page under the title “This is the video landed Tony Pua & MediaRakyat a lawsuit from the Prime Minister of Malaysia Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak”.

In a previous report by The Malaysian Insider, DAP’s national publicity chief Pua said that his speech was only “fair comment on a matter of public interest based on verified information and facts”, according to court documents served back to Najib’s solicitors.

According to a transcript of the video, Pua had called Najib a “king that is creating the biggest scandal ever in the history of Malaysia.”

“Huge! No one dares to say a thing, nothing, not even a pin drop from any MCA or Gerakan leader or even Umno leaders…There is only one reason why I think they can. The reason why they can is because all these MCA, MIC, Gerakan kakis all don’t dare to challenge their prime minister, all say okay, okay thank you, please carry on and rob the people’s money.”