Former MCA president Dr Ling Liong Sik, who is being sued by Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak, had asked the Umno president that if he cared about his reputation, then he ought to institute legal action against all Umno leaders past and present that have criticised him, such as Dr Mahathir Mohamad and also media organisations The Wall Street Journal and Sarawak Report .

In his counter-claim against Najib, Ling alleges Najib did not institute the present suit with the genuine intention of seeking legal redress.

“Najib has instituted the present suit in an attempt to create the perception that he is willing to go to great lengths, not least of which being recourse to the court process in a bid to protect his reputation. The defendant further contends that the attempt to create such a perception is ostensibly to lend legitimacy to Najib's actions.”

“If indeed the plaintiff cared about his reputation, Najib ought to have instituted actions not only against the defendant (Ling), but against all the Umno leaders (past and present) that have criticised him in particular Mahathir and also against WSJ and Sarawak Report ,” he said.

Ling pleaded in the defence statement that the suit filed against him is therefore an abuse of the civil court process, and he further alleged that it was done in bad faith, maliciously and with the ulterior motive to create the perception that Najib is willing to go to great lengths.

Besides Mahathir, Ling said Najib had received criticism from Umno deputy president and Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin and former Wanita chief Rafidah Aziz and further claimed that Najib's reputation had been tarnished by the numerous saga surrounding 1MDB and SRC scandals.

'Why single me out?'

The former MCA president said Mahathir, who is Najib's staunchest critic, had made various statements questioning the PM's integrity.

Mahathir had accused Najib of lying to the public, theft, bribery, money-laundering and undermining the constitution and legal system of Malaysia.

The former premier, Ling said had also repeatedly called for Najib to resign as PM.

“Various other past and present Umno leaders have also criticised Najib and made statements which have severely tarnished his reputation.

“Despite these statements by Mahathir and other Umno leaders, Najib has not pursued any action for defamation against any of them. Neither has he pursued any action for defamation against WSJ and Sarawak Report ,” he said.

Ling who was once transport minister, alleged that Najib had singled him out for merely expressing his opinion that he (Najib) should resign.

Arguing that Najib's suit is an abuse of the court process, Ling further sought a counter-claim where he is seeking exemplary damages, damages, interests and cost for this action.

Ling said this in his defence following a defamation suit filed by Najib.

Full defence and counterclaim documents below: