Najib files defamation suit against Dr Ling
Syah Hairizal Kamalul Arifin
October 29, 2015 20:05 MYT
October 29, 2015 20:05 MYT
Dr Ling had previously said he was ready to defend himself in court if Najib chose to sue him. - Filepic
Datuk Seri Najib Razak has filed a suit against former Cabinet minister Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik for defamation.
According to sources contacted by Astro AWANI, the suit was filed by the Prime Minister through Messrs Hafarizam Wan & Aisha Mubarak on Oct 27.
The notice would be sent soon, the source said.
It is understood that Najib is seeking for general, aggravated and exemplary damages.
On Oct 3, a media portal had quoted Dr Ling, a former transport minister, as saying that Najib "has taken people's money and put it in his own personal accounts", in his reference to the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) scandal.
Dr Ling also reportedly agreed with former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad's call for the Prime Minister to resign.
Days later, Dr Ling received a letter of demand from Najib's lawyer, accusing him of defaming the premier.
The letter demanded for an apology and compensation within seven days, failing which legal action would be taken against the former MCA president.
Dr Ling, however, refused to retract his statement, instead stating that he would defend himself in court if need be.
Earlier today, The Star reported that Dr Ling claimed he was surprised why Najib had taken a long time to file the suit.