Saifuddin's rare earth theft claim jeopardised my reputation: Sanusi

Kedah Menteri Besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor contended that his reputation was jeopardised by Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail’s claims of rare earth element (REE) theft at Bukit Enggang, Sik, in Kedah.

In his reply to Saifuddin’s statement of defence against his defamation suit, Sanusi denied the minister’s contention that it was the plaintiff’s own poor governance of Kedah that dented his reputation rather than the defendant’s alleged defamatory public statements.

The Perikatan Nasional election director pointed out that his reputation was further ruined by the PKR secretary-general’s allegation that the Kedah government improperly handled the RM1.6 billion of funds for the Malaysian Road Record Information System (Marris).

The plaintiff contended that the defendant’s claim that the former was a weak leader amounted to mere assumptions, pointing out that PN’s significant wins in Kedah during the state election earlier this year rubbished the claim, and that the opposition coalition could have won more seats if not for Saifuddin’s statements.

“If the defendant did not raise the allegation against the plaintiff in relation to the REE theft issue and mishandling of Marris (which are untrue), then society would not have criticised the plaintiff and the plaintiff’s reputation would not have been jeopardised,” Sanusi claimed in his reply filed at the Alor Setar High Court.

According to the reply sighted by Malaysiakini, Sanusi (above) said as a public figure and statesperson, Saifuddin should have acted in a more exemplary manner by not issuing defamatory statements that lacked basis.

Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail

Sanusi noted that Saifuddin’s use of the words mencuri (steal) and pencuri (thief) during a speech on July 15 raised the connotation that the plaintiff went against his mandate as Kedah MB and became a thief.

“Whatever the connotations that the defendant tries to sugarcoat the words mencuri and pencuri is the defendant’s attempt to confuse this honourable court.

“The use of the word pencuri by the defendant who allegedly wanted to use plain and simple language to ensure ease of understanding by the general public, strengthens the fact that the defendant is willing to say any words even if they go beyond their true meaning to garner public attention for the defendant’s political benefit,” Sanusi contended.

When contacted by Malaysiakini, Sanusi’s counsel Mohd Faizi Che Abu confirmed the reply was filed on Friday last week.

Sanusi’s legal action

On Aug 3, Sanusi filed the defamation suit against Saifuddin, demanding the defendant pay unspecified general, aggravated, and exemplary damages.

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 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 was regarding 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 of him as a political figure who 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 state elections in Kedah and five other states on Aug 12.

Through the civil action, the plaintiff also seeks the defendant to make a public apology in local newspapers, as well as online news portals and satellite TV stations.

On July 20, Saifuddin reportedly said the REE disclosure was not meant to tarnish Sanusi’s image but 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.

Saifuddin is represented by law firm Nav & Co. - Mkini