Rare earth issue: Sanusi hauls Saifuddin to court for defamation

 

Caretaker Kedah menteri besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor has filed a defamation suit against Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail over remarks linked to the alleged theft of rare earth elements (REE) in Bukit Enggang, Sik, Kedah.

The PAS leader’s legal team filed the writ of summons at the Alor Setar High Court on Aug 3, demanding the PKR secretary-general to pay unspecified general, aggravated, and exemplary damages.

Sanusi is also suing Saifuddin over the issue of RM1.6 billion funding from the Malaysian Road Record Information System (Marris).

The plaintiff’s civil action is over Saifuddin’s statements made on two occasions - during a press conference at a Home Ministry event at the Penang contingent police headquarters on July 14, and a speech during a Jelajah Perpaduan Madani programme at Guar Chempedak, Yan, Kedah, on July 15.

The July 14 statement dealt with the issue of the Marris funding while the July 15 remarks were over the alleged REE theft.

According to the statement of claim, Sanusi alleged both statements tainted his public reputation as a politician, triggered public negative perception on him as a political figure that implements Islamic principles in the Kedah state administration, and disturbed his focus on his daily duties as state menteri besar.

Sanusi claimed the statements were maliciously made in light of the ongoing state elections in Kedah and five other states that are set to take place this Saturday.

Through the civil action, the plaintiff also seeks for the defendant to make a public apology to be carried by local newspapers as well as online news portals and satellite broadcast television stations.

On July 20, Saifuddin reportedly said the REE disclosure was not meant to tarnish Sanusi’s image but rather to show there is an issue of administrative malpractice.

Six days later, in response to Sanusi’s letter of demand, Saifuddin said he was standing by his claims.

When contacted by Malaysiakini, Saifuddin’s counsel Navpreet Singh confirmed they were served sealed copies of Sanusi’s legal action earlier today.

Meanwhile, on Facebook today, Sanusi posted a Kedah Forestry Department report on REE mining in Sik - which was penned on July 18.

The report concluded that illegal REE mining in Sik had been stamped out, and all equipment related to the operations destroyed.