Former Penang Island Municipal Council (MPPP) member Mohd Razali Abdullah today filed a RM10 million defamation suit against

Jelutong member of parliament Jeff Ooi Chuan Aun over allegations against him, including branding him as an Islamic extremist.

Razali, who is a PKR member, filed the suit through his lawyer Abdul Fareed Abdul Gafoor at the Penang High Court.

In his statement of claim, Razali said Ooi, who is also chief of staff in the chief minister's office, had made the baseless defamatory statements and insinuations repeatedly which were carried by the local newspapers, and Internet websites and portals.

Razali said a notice was filed on Aug 12, 2009 through Messrs VM Mohan, Fareed & Co asking Ooi to apologise for his remarks within seven days but he refused or failed to do so.

Meanwhile, Ooi said he accepted whatever action Razali decided to take against him and that the matter would he handled by his lawyer.

He also revealed that Razali was not reappointed as MPPP councillor as he was also Kuala Krai District Council member at the time.

Ooi said the matter was confirmed by PKR state liaison chairman and deputy chief minister I Mansor Othman.

In regard to this, Ooi also urged former Penang PKR chief Zahrain Mohamed Hashim to openly apologise as he had proposed Razali for the MPPP councillor post although he knew the real situation.

- Bernama