DAP national chairperson Lim Guan Eng has turned to the civil court to compel Bersatu leader Azmin Ali to apologise over alleged defamatory remarks.
The former finance minister filed a defamation suit at the Sungai Petani High Court in April this year over the former international trade and industry minister’s 15th general election (GE15) campaign speech at Lunas, Kedah, on Nov 12 last year.
According to a copy of the statement of claim, Bagan MP Lim alleged that former Gombak MP Azmin’s remarks implied that the plaintiff conducted himself arrogantly during his tenure as finance minister between 2018 and 2020.
The DAP stalwart claimed that the defendant’s remarks implied the former intimidated and frightened the Malaysian business community.
The plaintiff also claimed that the speech implied he used his then power to conduct selective persecution of corporate entities and business enterprises linked to MCA.
Besides an unconditional withdrawal of the alleged defamatory statement and an unconditional apology to be published by English daily The Star, Lim (above) also seeks unspecified general, aggravated, and exemplary damages.
When contacted by Malaysiakini today, Lim’s counsel Simon Murali confirmed that the Sungai Petani High Court allowed the plaintiff’s application to serve the suit’s documents on Azmin via substituted service.
The lawyer claimed this was because they were unable to serve the cause papers directly on the defendant since the suit was filed in April.
Malaysiakini is attempting to reach out to Azmin’s legal team over the matter.
Allegation of using the IRB
On Nov 17 last year, Lim reportedly said he will sue Azmin for making allegedly defamatory remarks against him.
This is over Azmin’s statement that Lim used the Inland Revenue Board (IRB) to chase down companies linked to MCA during the latter’s time as the finance minister.
“As one of the principal architects of the Sheraton Move that brought down a democratically elected Pakatan Harapan government, Azmin has been desperate in unsuccessfully trying to shed his ‘traitor’ role.
“Azmin has chosen to target me by making unprovoked personal attacks with lies that are published in MCA and government-controlled papers.
“I had never used the IRB to target Chinese businesspeople. Despite me asking Azmin repeatedly to show proof, he has failed to do so,” Lim said in a statement then.
He added that he previously sued and won a defamation suit on a related matter after a businessperson, who was an alleged supporter of the previous Perikatan Nasional administration, insinuated that he was harassed by IRB after being instigated by Lim.
Azmin also claimed that Lim was responsible for new taxes on businesses, targeting specific Chinese businesses.
Meanwhile, both Lim and Azmin are candidates in the upcoming state elections scheduled for Saturday this week.
Former Penang chief minister Lim is Harapan’s candidate for the Air Putih state seat, while PN’s Azmin is contesting Hulu Kelang. - Mkini
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