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National Union of Bank Employees (NUBE) general secretary J Solomon is suing president Johar Sulaiman and general treasurer Mohd Noor Basir for RM500,000 each for implying that he was incompetent. In his statement of claim Solomon said the defamatory words uttered by Johar and Mohd Noor were published by The Star on Nov 2 and The Sun on Nov 3 under the headings 'Mohd Noor: Solomon was incompetent' and 'Sacking of sec-gen may hurt NUBE'.

The suits against Johar and Mohd Noor were filed at the Kuala Lumpur High Court registry on Jan 8 and 9 respectively.

The writ of summons were served on them yesterday and both have 14 days to file their defence.

Solomon said the statements by the two were meant to show that he was 'unfit' to hold his post, was 'inept and incompetent', was unable to carry out his duties satisfactorily and therefore his subsequent dismissal was justified.

He said that by way of innuendo, it meant that he had 'failed to discharge his duties' and is an 'incompetent person' who cannot be 'entrusted with the administration of an organisation'.

"The said words were calculated to disparage and/or undermine the plaintiff in his position as NUBE general secretary," read Solomon's statement of claim.

Public apology

It further stated that the making of the statements has caused 'serious damage' to Solomon's reputation, causing him to suffer 'considerable distress and embarrassment'.

Solomon, who is employed by Bumiputera-Commerce Bank Berhad, assumed the position of NUBE general secretary on July 19 last year.

His suit is claiming damages for libel with interest, as well as a permanent injunction to restrain Johar and Mohd Noor, their servants or agents from further speaking or publishing the defamatory words.

He also wants the court to order both the defendants to apologise and retract their defamatory words by way of a notice in the same or any other newspapers of his choice.