Umno Youth vice-chief Khairul Azwan Harun has filed a suit against PKR vice-president Mohd Rafizi Ramli for defaming him over the purchase of property by Majlis Amanah Rakyat (Mara) in Australia.

Khairul Azwan, 39, filed the defamation suit Thursday at the High Court registry here through Messrs Raja Riza & Associates and the documents were made available to the media on Friday.

In his statement of claim, Khairul Azwan as the plaintiff said Mohd Rafizi had been distributing and publishing defamatory statements against him during a press conference at Mohd Rafizi's office at Uni Infiniti Mind Development Centre on July 6.

The plaintiff said he had held a press conference denying the statements on the same day.

Khairul Azwan ( photo ), who is Biosis Group Berhad director, said the statements, among others, had questioned his alleged involvement in the purchase and business dealings at the 746 Swanston Street property by a company wholly owned by Mara Inc, Thrushcross Land Holdings Limited, which experienced leakages of RM63 million.

Khairul Azwan said the defamatory statements were published in online portals which could be shared by Internet users worldwide.

Mohd Rafizi's words had tarnished his reputation as a businessman and politician and despised by the public that he was involved in the dubious transactions for his own financial interest.

On July 8, a letter of demand was sent to Mohd Rafizi asking for an apology, but up until now the defendant failed to meet the claims.

Therefore, the plaintiff is seeking general, aggravated and exemplary damages and also interest, costs and others deemed appropriate by the court.

Khairul Azwan is also seeking for an injunction to restrain the defendant or any of his assistants or agents from publishing similar defamatory statements and asking the defendant to publish a written apology that should be published in newspapers.

- Bernama