KUALA LUMPUR, 12 Dec 2008: Seputeh Member of Parliament Teresa
Kok Suh Sim today filed a RM30 million defamation suit against Malaysian Press
Institute chief executive officer Datuk Chamil Wariya and Utusan Malaysia Sdn
Bhd over an article published in the Malay daily on 12 Oct 2008.
The writ of summons was filed at the Civil High Court registry here through the law firm, SN Nair & Partners.
Kok, 44, who is also a Selangor state executive council member, named
Chamil who wrote the article as first defendant and Utusan Melayu Sdn Bhd which published the said article as second defendant.
In her statement of claim, Kok alleged that the article’s contents implied that she was a racist, a religious and racial bigot, untrustworthy person and a bad politician.
She also claimed that the article in the Mingguan Malaysia Sunday edition, with the heading, “Politik Baru YB J,” had also implied that she was a chauvinistic politician who is anti-Islam and anti-Malay.
The plaintiff contended that the manner in which she was portrayed in the article was unfounded, baseless, bereft of the truth, reckless and is in gross negligence.
Kok also claimed that the article was written in bad faith to instigate hatred and ill will against her in the eyes of the public.
Beside seeking general damages of RM30 million, Kok also seeking aggravated and exemplary damages.
She is also seeking an injunction to restrain the defendants from further uttering, speaking or publishing similar contents or words defamatory of the plaintiff.
Meanwhile, Nair said the writ would be served to both defendants once his firm obtained the sealed copy from the court. — Bernama
