PKR rep Arafat threatens legal action over gun claims

Summary

• Hulu Kinta assemblyperson Muhamad Arafat Varisai Mahamad says he has instructed his lawyer to initiate legal action against a person who claimed he pulled out a gun to threaten party members during the recent Tambun PKR election.

• Arafat claims those making the accusations had lied.

• He also says his accusers have contradicted their claims in police reports and statements.

Hulu Kinta assemblyperson Muhamad Arafat Varisai Mahamad instructed his lawyer to initiate legal action against an individual for claiming he pulled out a gun to threaten party members during the recent Tambun PKR election.

Arafat claimed that it was a serious accusation because it was intended to tarnish his image during the party election.

He also claimed that those making the accusations against him had lied.

“The public can judge the integrity of the individual who made the video, as he was previously arrested and charged in court for beating the Sri Lankan ambassador at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA).

“So, I have initiated legal proceedings.

“My lawyer is issuing a RM1 million lawsuit for defamation and false statements,” he told Malaysiakini.

Yesterday, four individuals came forward with statutory declarations (SD) claiming to be eyewitnesses who saw Arafat pull out a gun in the incident on April 13.

“I myself was an eyewitness to the incident, along with several other individuals who also witnessed the incident clearly.

“We have come forward to sign an SD to officially and responsibly confirm this matter,” Preseen Nair Vijayakumaran, 34, told a press conference in Ipoh.

The SDs were signed by five other individuals, two of whom were not present at the press conference.

However, Arafat said a video circulated by Tambun PKR deputy chief candidate Kalaimugilan Arjunan confirmed the latter’s statement contradicted the police report he had made previously.

“In the video, he stated that Arafat had shown a weapon, but in the police report, it did not mention showing a weapon; he only said that I took out the weapon from behind and handed it to the assistant.

“In the video, he stated that Arafat had threatened members and candidates, but the police report did not mention threats.

“In the video, it states that he and eight of his followers were present to collect votes, but in the police report, it says they were present to monitor,” he said.

‘Someone may say AK47 next’

Arafat went on to claim that all of the statements were false and defamed him.

The PKR assemblyperson said strict action must be taken to prevent the recurrence of such incidents and to serve as a lesson for all.

“Otherwise, one day someone may say I brought an AK47.

“All of his witnesses may have an agenda. Yesterday, I saw the press statement of his witnesses in Malaysiakini that five people made a statement, but before I understood that they had eight witnesses, so why did three more people not make a statement?" he said.

Yesterday, apart from Preseen, statements alleging that Arafat pulled out a gun were also made by G Hasvin Kumara, 29; V Sehghar, 27; G P Nagaindran, 29; V Kavish Nair, 22 and R Narayanasamy, 44.

All of them are members of PKR Tambun branch.

Four step up with SDs claiming to witness Arafat pulling gun out

Cops to question PKR rep over 'flashing gun' claim by party rival

PKR polls: State rep denies flashing gun at rivals