Ibrahim Ali files defamation suit against The Star

Pertubuhan Pribumi Perkasa Malaysia (Perkasa) president Datuk Ibrahim Ali today filed a suit against The Star newspaper and another over the publication of articles which allegedly defamed him last Nov 2.

He filed the suit through the legal firm of Messrs. Adnan Sharida & Associates using the e-filing process at the High Court here.

He named Star Publications (M) Berhad chief executive officer Datuk Seri Wong Chun Wai as the first defendant and Star Publications (M) Berhad as second defendant.

In the statement of claim, the 63-year-old for Pasir Mas Member of Parliament claimed that on Nov 2 this year, Wong had written and published an article, with the title 'A mind-boggling spin' in his blog, 'On the Beat', and it was then published in The Star Online and The Star newspaper.

He claimed the words used in the article painted him as a religious extremist, a person who belittled the Christian religion and done a big mistake and should be punished.

Ibrahim said the article also painted him as an extremist who always escaped the law and should therefore be arrested and charged under the Sedition Act.

He claimed the article also gave the impression that he issued statements which attacked and insult the Christians, as well as to stir rift and animosity among the among the people of various races and religions in the country.

Ibrahim claimed that the alleged defamatory words in the article had caused serious injury to his reputation, losses and looked down by the society.

He is seeking general, aggravated and exemplary damages and other relief deemed fit by the court, as well as an injunction preventing the defendants from further publishing or distributing the alleged defamatory statements on him either through the Internet or print media.