Annuar denies defaming Kit Siang, ready to defend himself if sued

 

Former minister Annuar Musa has denied defaming DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang over linking the latter to the deadly racial riots of May 13, 1969.

The denial was made via a legal letter issued by the law form Rosli Dahlan Saravana Partnership yesterday on Annuar’s behalf, in reply to Lim’s letter dated July 10, which demanded an apology from Annuar (above, right).

“In the premises, all the allegations in your letter are denied.

“We are instructed to inform you that if your client decides to file any legal action, we have instructions to accept service of process and our client will vigorously defend the same. All our client’s rights are expressly reserved,” read the letter.

In the reply letter, Annuar also insisted that his speech on July 6 was “based on facts, valid and justifiable, and not malicious or defamatory”.

According to Annuar further, both the contents and title of the July 6 Malaysiakini article, in which he reportedly linked Lim to the May 13 riots, do not represent the intention or meaning of his speech and he did not publish or cause that article to be published.

On July 10, Lim through his legal team served a letter of demand to Annuar - now a PAS member - over allegations linked to the deadly racial riots.

In the letter, Lim demanded a retraction of Annuar’s allegedly defamatory remarks, an apology, and a sum of damages, to be complied with within 14 days from the date of the letter. - Mkini