Former Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Zaid Ibrahim has filed a RM30 million defamation suit against Buletin Rakyat over an article published by the newspaper.

Zaid who is the president of Parti Kesejahteraan Insan Tanah Air (Kita) filed the action through advocates Bashir & Co at the High Court here on Nov 21.

He named the writer of the article, Mohd Sayuti Omar, editor Norzah Kepol and Buletin Rakyat publisher, Kantung Network Sdn Bhd as first, second and third defendants respectively.

In his statement of claim, Zaid cited an article by the newspaper titled ‘ Zaid Terus Hanyut Dalam Keegoannya ’ (Zaid continues to drown in his ego), which he claimed, meant that he had low political moral, was egoistic, autocratic, used wealth to force people into submission and did not have a good character.

He is seeking RM10 million from each defendant for general, aggravated and exemplary damages.

Zaid is also seeking an injunction to restrain the defendants from publishing such defamatory words in the newspaper and on the Internet.

He also sought an interim order to compel the defendants to withdraw and delete the defamatory words as well as an apology to be published in the paper continuously for two months or for a period deemed appropriate by the court.

Meanwhile, Justice Zabariah Mohd Yusof who presided over the case in chambers, fixed Dec 14 for case management.

- Bernama