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Malay Mail
He has done nothing to apologise for, Klang MP’s lawyers tell Dr Zakir Naik
KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 28 — The lawyers representing Klang MP Charles Santiago said today their client has done nothing wrong to cause televangelist Dr Zakir Naik to sue him for defamation.
The firm Messrs SN Fam and Co also said their client has the right to raise any available defence, should Dr Zakir’s legal team seek to pursue the suit any further.
In a copy of the letter sent to Messrs Akberdin and Co sighted by Malay Mail, Charles’ lawyers stated their client’s alleged defamatory statements made at the public forum regarding the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) on Monday are “fair and bonafide comments on matters of public interest”.
“As an elected Member of Parliament, our client has a duty and is obliged to voice out in respect of national issues, including matters relating to the decisions made by the government of Malaysia and/or any public authorities,” read the letter.
Referring to Charles’s remarks over the recent arrest of two DAP assemblymen under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma) and the timing of the arrests on the eve of the 2020 Budget, his lawyers said this is an expression of their client’s opinion.
“The statement by our client on the use of Sosma as a tool to punish those who spoke against Zakir Naik and arrest the two DAP assemblymen was in fact questioning the decision made by the authorities in using the draconian Act.
“Reading the statements made by our client in totality and not selectively, our client as a Member of Parliament is questioning the authorities in relation to the process of investigation, failure by the police to produce any evidence, and the justification of the said arrest under Sosma,” said the lawyers.
They added that Charles ‘vehemently’ denies that his statements are defamatory in nature, and made without malice as it relates to matters of public interest.
“Our clients stand by the statements made by him, and does not see the necessity of an apology in the matter herein,” the lawyers said.
The notice papers for the suit by Dr Zakir against Charles was delivered yesterday, in which the MP was being held accountable for a media statement made on August 13 calling for the Cabinet to discuss Dr Zakir’s interference in Malaysian politics, as well as his remarks at Monday’s forum.
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FMT
Naik sues 3 DAP leaders for defamation
PETALING JAYA: Controversial Muslim preacher Dr Zakir Naik has filed defamation suits against three DAP leaders including Human Resources Minister M Kula Segaran.
The others are Klang MP Charles Santiago and Bagan Dalam assemblyman Satees Muniandy.
Last month, he slapped a similar suit against Penang Deputy Chief Minister P Ramasamy over four articles through legal firm Messrs Akberdin and Co.
He is seeking an injunction to restrain them from publishing and distributing the reports in any medium, as well as an apology to be published in newspapers and portals including FMT within seven days.
In his writs and statements of claim filed two days ago and sighted by FMT, Naik also demanded compensation and exemplary damages.
He accused the defendants of ridiculing him and depicting him in a bad light and as a threat to the country’s security.
He also described himself as a renowned preacher and orator on comparative religion, adding that he had received numerous awards including the Tokoh Maal Hijrah International Personality Award in 2013.
The suit against Kula, who is also Ipoh Barat MP and DAP national vice-chairman, is in connection with a FMT report titled “DAP: No reason for Malaysia to protect Zakir Naik” published on April 17, 2017.
Naik also mentioned a press release by Kula on Aug 13 titled “Zakir Naik’s presence is embarrassing to all Malaysians”.
The suit against Satees, who is DAP Youth international secretary, is in connection with an article titled “Lawmaker fumes after Zakir suggests Hindus here support Modi over Dr M” which appeared in Malaysiakini on Aug 12.
Also mentioned is a report titled “DAP man blames LTTE crackdown on Zakir Naik’s presence”, featured in FMT on Nov 5.
The claim against Santiago is linked to an article titled “Wednesday Cabinet meeting must discuss Zakir’s meddling in local politics” which was posted on his Facebook on Aug 13.
Also mentioned is a public speech by Santiago three days ago where the MP allegedly linked the preacher to the arrests of two DAP members, purportedly over links to the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam.
Naik previously lodged a police report in Shah Alam against Kula, Ramasamy, Santiago, Satees and former ambassador Dennis Ignatius, claiming they had made defamatory statements against him.
Naik reportedly claimed that Malaysians of Indian origin were more loyal to the Narendra Modi government than to Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, while Chinese Malaysians were “old guests” who should go back to their ancestral land.
The preacher, who holds permanent resident status in Malaysia, is also wanted by authorities in India over accusations of money laundering.
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weehingthong 
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