PKR deputy president Dr Syed Husin Ali has filed a RM10 million suit against Utusan Malaysia at the Kuala Lumpur High Court.

Syed Husin, recently appointed senator by  the Selangor government, also named the Umno-owned daily's editor Mohd Hassan Mohd Noor and former PKR leader Zamil Ibrahim as defendants.

pkr national congress 301108 syed husin ali In Syed Husin's statement of claim, the PKR leader alleged a March 6 article titled ‘RM500,000: Syed Husin dicabar lapor polis’ (RM500,000: Syed Husin challenged to make police report) was defamatory.

The article, was based on a blog posting which has alleged Syed Husin had been bought over by Anwar and was paid RM500,000 to disband Parti Rakyat Malaysia, a party which he was president, and join PKR instead.

Syed Husin claimed Zamil had on or before March 6 spoken to an Utusan Malaysia journalist, and the article meant that the PKR deputy president was guilty of corrupt practices.

He also claimed the article meant that he had committed a criminal offence punishable by imprisonment.

The article had also painted a picture of Syed Husin as an hypocrite, unfit to be a politician, betrayed party colleagues, unprincipled and unfit to hold the post of PKR deputy president.

The PKR deputy president claims the publication had injured and tarnished his image, credit and reputation.

In seeking exemplary damages, Syed Husin claimed the article was published in a sensational manner, and that the defendants knew and ought to have known the allegations were untrue.

He claimed damages of RM10 million, and is also seeking exemplary damages.

Apart from that he is seeking an injunction to restrain the defendants from repeating further publication and also costs of the application.

Syed Husin was present with his lawyer N Surendran during the filing of the suit.

Syed Husin: Media has to be ethical

Syed Husin was present with his lawyer N Surendran during the filing of the suit.

The PKR deputy president said the suit was a serious matter as it did not only affect his reputation.

"It also involves the role of the media, for it has to be ethical and responsible with what is reported," he said.

"The media has to verify and check its sources in order to substantiate its claims," he told Malaysiakini .

Syed Husin said perhaps Utusan Malaysia felt it was "invincible" in being able to churn out such articles.

"Maybe they are challenging everyone, as if to challenge others as to what they can do. However, I am challenging this notion, as what Utusan Malaysia claimed in the article is totally baseless and unsubstantiated.

"It is irresponsible reporting on their part. No matter if they (Utusan) feel they are 'invincible' ... I have decided to file this suit as what the newspaper did is wrong," he added.