Kanthan farmer eviction: Jeyakumar, PSM stand by criticism of Perak body

PSM and its chairperson Dr Michael Jeyakumar Devaraj are standing by public criticism linked to the eviction of Kanthan farmers last year.

The outspoken activist made the contention in his statement of defence against a defamation suit by the Perak State Development Corporation (PKNP).

Plaintiff PKNP is seeking damages over defendant Jeyakumar’s (above) remark when he accompanied a group of farmers lodging a report at the Kanthan police station on Nov 1 last year.

“The plaintiff is a public body and agency of the Perak state government.

“The defendant and PSM are activists who have for decades raised issues of public interest, particularly concerning estate workers, farmers, factory workers and the hardcore poor.

“It is appropriate and imperative that the conduct of the plaintiff is open to public criticism,” he said.

“The defendant and PSM have a duty and responsibility to the public to make statements and comments regarding the plaintiff’s treatment.

“The plaintiff’s conduct against the Kanthan farmers is a matter of public interest and the public has a duty and interest to be informed about it,” Jeyakumar said in the defence sighted by Malaysiakini.

The former Sungai Siput MP said he was approached by affected farmers during his 10-year parliamentary tenure ending in 2018.

PKNP alleged that Jeyakumar falsely implied it had contravened an interim court order linked to the six Kanthan farmers’ ongoing challenge.

In October last year, the Ipoh High Court issued an interim order against the eviction of the farmers.

PKNP filed the defamation suit against PSM and Jeyakumar at the Kuala Lumpur High Court on Jan 31.

Sufficient notice given

In its reply, PKNP contended that Jeyakumar purposefully ignored the fact that the body had given sufficient notice to the farmers to vacate the land.

The plaintiff claimed before the issuance of the alleged defamation, it had explained to the farmers its intentions and plans to repossess the land.

PKNP contended that Jeyakumar failed to seek its verification before making sensational and false allegations in public.

“The plaintiff pleads that the press conference and social media publications were done without any regard to the truthfulness or falsity of the impugned press conference and social media publications, and without any honest belief as to the truth of its contents,” PKNP alleged against Jeyakumar and PSM.

Prior to the 2022 general election, Malaysiakini reported farmers expressing their hope in then-opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim to resolve their longstanding issue.

Anwar has since become prime minister and Tambun MP, where hundreds of Kanthan smallholding farmers were locked in an eviction battle.

Located in the Tambun parliamentary seat and Hulu Kinta state constituency, Kanthan is the single largest vegetable-producing region in Perak.

PKNP’s civil action is set for full trial beginning Nov 7 next year.

The statutory body is represented by the law firm MahWengKwai & Associates.

Daim & Gamany is acting for Jeyakumar and PSM. - Mkini