Former PKR deputy president Senator Syed Husin Ali has filed an RM10 million defamation suit against Kulim-Bandar Baharu MP Zulkifli Noordin and Utusan Melayu (M) Bhd.

The suit is over claims made by Zulkifli in his blog Syed Husin made him an offer if he would vacate his parliamentary seat.

Also named in the suit filed in the Kuala Lumpur High Court is the Umno-owned daily's group editor Abdul Aziz Ishak.

The suit was filed this morning by the law firm M/s Edwin Lim Suren and Soh.

NONE The suit follows an article published in Utusan Malaysia titled " Zul Noordin nafi dakwaan Syed Husin " (Zul Noordin denies Syed Husin's claim) and a blog posting made by Zulkifli.

The blog posting, which was also published by Utusan Malaysia , says Syed Husin met Zulkifli and asked the Kulim-Bandar Baharu MP to vacate his seat.

If he did so, Zulkifli would be offered a post in a Selangor state government subsidiary by PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim, and would be paid incentives worth between RM50,000 and RM60,000 a month.

Zulkifli also claimed in his posting that Anwar had offered Syed Husin a similar compensation package to vacate the PKR deputy presidency to make way for Azmin Ali.

'Meant to injure character and reputation'

The publication of this in its ordinary meaning, the suit says, meant that Syed Husin was guilty of corrupt practice, had committed a criminal offence, was a hypocrite and unfit as a politician and leader of a political party.

It also meant that Syed Husin was a dishonourable politician and unfit to hold a post as a senator in the Dewan Negara.

Syed Husin claims the blog posting and Utusan 's publication was to injure his character and reputation.

He is seeking RM10 million in damages, exemplary damages and also an injunction to restrain the defendants from publishing similar libellous material.

Syed Husin, who was present during the filing, said the publication was a blatant lie as he did not make any offer to Zulkifli and that the Selangor government agency does not have the money to offer such a monthly incentive.

"Furthermore, Utusan failed to verify the facts with me and literally took Zulkifli's blog posting as the truth," he said, noting that this was his second suit against Utusan Malaysia .