Opposition leaders Anwar Ibrahim and Karpal Singh are threatening to sue a broadcast company over a news bulletin on the claim they were involved in the practice of bribing judges and prosecutors.

NONE They are referring to the Aug 2 airing of a news item on TV3's Buletin Utama pertaining to Umno’s Permatang Pauh general election candidate Mazlan Ismail's claim that he received bags of letters alleging Anwar had paid Karpal RM50 million in legal fees since 2008 to bribe judges and prosecutors.

In separate letters of demand, the two described the bulletin as malicious and false.

They are demanding Alt Media Sdn Bhd apologise and retract the news bulletin.

Alt Media, based in Sri Pentas, operates the digital and new media company of the media conglomerate.

“You have, in falsely and maliciously publishing the impugned words, imputed commission of very serious crimes on the part of our client. No doubt, the impugned words have caused our client’s reputation serious and irreparable damage.

“The gravity of the impugned words justify not only aggravated, but also exemplary damages which will, no doubt, be awarded by the court in the absence or refusal of retraction and apology on your part  in legal proceedings which our client intends to initiate against you in any event,” stated the letter sent by Karpal’s legal firm, which is acting on behalf of the two opposition leaders.

Seven days to retract and apologise

The letters further give Alt Media a period of seven days from date of receipt of the latter to retract and apologise for the airing of the news bulletin, failing which, legal action will be taken.

NONE “The retraction and apology in your prime-time television news via Buletin Utama must be put up as soon as possible. A draft of the retraction and apology must, of course, receive the same coverage as the broadcast complained of.”

Anwar ( right ) and Karpal have denied the Mazlan’s claim and have lodged police reports on the matter on Aug 4, two days after this bulletin was aired.

Subsequently, Anwar and Karpal were faced with pressure by certain quarters to declare their assets, which was dismissed as “ inconsquential ” by Karpal.

However, Mazlan subsequently lodged a report over the allegation with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission.