Pahang Menteri Besar Adnan Yaakob has sent a letter of demand to Utusan Malaysia demanding RM15 million, over a commentary it published two weeks ago.

The Malay-language daily said it has received the letter dated Nov 18, for the article ‘Is Adnan that great?’ published on Nov 9.

The letter came from Adnan’s lawyer Manjeet Singh Dhillon, it said.

“This is just for information, it is not appropriate to say more than that because this will become a court matter,” wrote Awang Selamat today, which is the newspaper’s official pseudonym.

The offending article was published following the fatal mud flood on Nov 5 in Cameron Highlands, calling Adnan arrogant and urging him not to overstay his welcome. Three people had died in the flood waters.          

It accused him of being incapable of resolving illegal land clearings in the state, and has become a liability to Umno and Pahang.

“His leadership style is no longer suitable even though his supporters argue that he has the charisma to control the unique politics in Pahang.

“But the grassroots want change. Other states have already changed menteris besar but Pahang still has the same person whose rating and popularity has fallen,” Awang Selamat wrote two weeks ago.