Najib threatens to sue ex-MCA chief Ling
Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak has threatened to sue former MCA president Dr Ling Liong Sik if Ling does not retract and apologise for an allegedly defamatory statement he made about the prime minister two days ago.
A letter of demand, confirmed by a Ling family source, has been sent to the former federal minister.
Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak has threatened to sue former MCA president Dr Ling Liong Sik if Ling does not retract and apologise for an allegedly defamatory statement he made about the prime minister two days ago.
A letter of demand, confirmed by a Ling family source, has been sent to the former federal minister.
The legal letter demanded a retraction, an unequivocal apology and compensation following an article in The Malay Mail Online titled 'MCA's Liong Sik joins call for Najib's ouster for allegedly putting people's money in his own pocket' that was published on Oct 3.
In the letter, Najib's lawyer Mohd Hafarizam Harun said Ling has seven days to answer the demands or face legal action for smearing the prime minister's reputation.
The letter, which was sighted by Malaysiakini, states: 'We refer to the above matter wherein we act for our client YAB Dato' Seri Mohd Najib bin Tun Abdul Razak, the Prime Minister of Malaysia in his personal capacity.
"We have been instructed to take action and demand a retraction, an unequivocal apology and reasonable compensation for the aforementioned defamatory statement concerning our client.'
In the article concerned, Ling reportedly said: 'I agree with Mahathir (that Najib should resign). Because he has taken people's money and put it in his own personal accounts.'
'Political donation'
MCA has distanced itself from Ling's statement.
Najib is under fire after RM2.6 billion was deposited into his personal bank accounts amid financial strife faced by state investment firm 1MDB.
An investigation by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) into the RM2.6 billion is pending, but Najib has explained it to be a political donation.
Preliminary findings by MACC indicate that the funds originated from a Middle Eastern source.
Najib has repeatedly said that he has never abused public funds.
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