PAS says too costly to pursue S'wak Report, doesn't want to burden members
PAS treasurer Razman Zakaria said today that it is too costly to pursue its defamation suit against Sarawak Report editor Clare Rewcastle-Brown, and the party does not want to burden its members further.
Razman said this in relation to the party's decision to opt for an out-of-court settlement in its defamation suit at the London High Court of Justice over an article claiming that PAS received RM90 million from BN.
"We took into consideration that the libel was meant for the general election, and they have succeeded (in winning the general election)...
PAS treasurer Razman Zakaria said today that it is too costly to pursue its defamation suit against Sarawak Report editor Clare Rewcastle-Brown, and the party does not want to burden its members further.
Razman said this in relation to the party's decision to opt for an out-of-court settlement in its defamation suit at the London High Court of Justice over an article claiming that PAS received RM90 million from BN.
"We took into consideration that the libel was meant for the general election, and they have succeeded (in winning the general election).
"So, even if we want to proceed, it will be costly and a burden to our members.
"Even though there will be negative perceptions against us, this course of action is the best one for the party," he told Malaysiakini when contacted.
'More donations'
Razman added that the party may need to collect more donations once the final cost becomes clear.
"We have to foot the cost every month the case proceeds; even case management has its costs.
"That is why we say PAS funds are in the hands of our members... If the time comes and the need arises, we will ask from our members," he said.
For now, Razman said the party will establish the amount of legal costs still outstanding.
"I think there is still outstanding, the final amount is not yet known.
"We have not had a meeting to see how much cost the settlement will involve, so we cannot give the final figure yet," he said.
Rewcastle-Brown yesterday hailed the out-of-court settlement as vindication, as she did not need to retract the article which PAS had sued her for.
The Sarawak Report editor, who first broke the story of the 1MDB scandal, claimed in the Aug 6, 2016 article that Najib was wooing PAS ahead of the general election, and that RM90 million had flowed into the accounts of its top leaders.
PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang then sued Rewcastle-Brown for libel in London on April 21, 2017 over the allegation that his party received RM90 million to ensure support for BN and Umno.
The party had previously collected donations to fund its case against Rewcastle-Brown.
On Jan 3, Razman appealed for RM400,000 to foot legal costs. A week later, he revealed that PAS managed to collect RM500,000.
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Ya ka, Hadi was advise not to pursue the case when advise by Zaid Ibrahim BUT Hadi insisted to go ahead. Why settle out of court NOW? The public is not stupid.
PUS, u must really think your mbrs are stupid. U did not share 90m with them but expect contributions fr them to settle legal costs?!
Waste of time and resources only! To remove Najib go to the ballot box! Same to Hadi! GE around the corner less than 2000 days! Tell your Amanah friend to build the machinery quickly in Terengganu and Kelantan! If not same of story of ZERO seats and lost deposits!
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