MP mulls defamation suit against Penang PAS chief

Jelutong MP RSN Rayer has warned Penang PAS chief Muhammad Fauzi Yusoff that he will file a defamation suit if the latter does not apologise and retract his "slanderous" statement.

This was in response to Fauzi’s ceramah two days ago, where the PAS leader alleged that Rayer (above, left) told the Malay and Indian voters in Sungai Pinang that DAP could survive even without their support.

In the ceramah video, which was streamed live on Fauzi's Facebook, the state PAS chief claimed that Rayer made the remarks when visiting victims of a fire, where Rayer was purportedly angry after the victims received an earlier visit from PAS representatives.

Denying the allegation, Rayer told a press conference this morning that he had never uttered such remarks nor did DAP visit the victims only after learning that PAS had gone there.

"Fauzi, the Penang PAS commissioner, had alleged that I only went to the incident location after he visited the victims.

"He claimed (during the ceramah) that the victims were angry at me for not visiting them sooner, and that they purportedly said they will not vote for me anymore.

"Furthermore, he (Fauzi) alleged that I purportedly told the victims that it was okay if the Indians and Malays do not give their support anymore," the DAP MP told reporters during the presser.

In his defence, Rayer played another video to the conference, which showed him having a conversation with victims of the three houses damaged by the blaze.

The Jelutong MP said Sungai Pinang assemblyperson Lim Siew Khim had arrived at the scene at 1.30am to visit the victims right after the incident, while he and several other leaders had gone there at 9am.

This was before PAS representatives had visited the location, he added.

"As you can see in the second video, I had spoken to the victims and discussed how we can help solve their problem.

"We suggested to the victims that we will help them with some financial compensation by paying half of the repair costs," he said.

Police urged to probe

Rayer has lodged a police report on Fauzi's remarks.

"I know that they (PAS) made this allegation because the Penang state election is around the corner.

"I want to tell PAS, do not play us for a fool. In Jelutong and Penang generally, we (DAP) give assistance to all regardless of their religious and racial background, and regardless of their political view.

"If the state PAS chief fails to apologise and retract his statement, I will sue him,” he said, adding that he hopes the police will investigate the matter.

On Friday evening, Fauzi had told a 'PN Best' ceramah in Balik Pulau that residents in Sungai Pinang were upset with DAP, particularly Rayer and his team.

In the video of his ceramah, the PAS leader claimed that Rayer and his team had only visited the victims after PAS went to the scene.

Fauzi claimed that a voter told him later that Rayer was purportedly angry at the Malay and Indian voters there for saying they would no longer support DAP. - Mkini