In what is the latest addition to Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak’s string of lawsuits filed against news organisation, DAP MP Tony Pua has become the first individual the premier is suing for defamation.

Pua is being sued by Najib for defamation

News portal MalaysiaKini reported that in a statement of claim it sighted recently, Najib alleges that Pua implied that Najib had stole or is going to continue to steal the peoples’ money with regard to the controversial 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB).

According to the report, the suit was filed with the registrar of the High Court in Kuala Lumpur yesterday, and the premier is represented by the law firm of Hafarizam, Wan Aisha and Mubarak. Also named as a defendant in the suit is Chan Chee Kong, who owns theMediarakyat.net portal on which the video was uploaded.

The suit pertains to a speech  made by Pua at a party fund-raising dinner last November, titled “Tony Pua: Najib is creating the biggest scandal ever in the history of Malaysia”, which shows Pua allegedly accusing Najib of stealing the people’s money with the 1MDB project.

Najib in the claim said the speech made by Pua also implied that he (Najib) is untrustworthy and unfit to hold public office.

1MDB, which is a wholly-government owned investment arm, is mired in controversy not least because of its huge debts and dubious deals.

According to the news portal, Najib’s lawyer Mohd Hafarizam Harun confirmed the suit had been filed but did not provide details.

It is reported that Najib is seeking seeking exemplary, aggravated and general damages, as well as an injunction to stop the defendants from repeating, publishing such slanderous and libellous statements. He is also seeking an apology to be published in national newspapers and magazines, and removal of the said video.

Najib is currently also suing newsportal MalaysiaKini and PAS party organ, Harakah. – The Rocket