Umno has filed a defamation suit against Batu MP Tian Chua on statements about the intrusion in Lahad Datu published in KeadilanDaily.

Aside from the PKR vice-president, the other two being named as defendants are KeadilanDaily.com editor Fazallah Pit and the writer of the article Aisha Geoffrey.

The suit was filed following the March 1 article published on KeadilanDaily.com entitled "Insiden Tembakan Di Lahad Datu Konspirasi Terancang Umno – Tian (Firefight Incident In Lahad Datu an Umno-planned conspiracy - Tian)".

According to the writ of summons, Umno is seeking general damages, special damages, aggravated damages, excessive damages and / or exemplary damages, interest and costs as well as other order the court considers appropriate.

Umno also sought an injunction to stop the defendants similar statements as well as an order for the defendants to issue an unconditional apology.

The summons and statement of claim was filed by Umno executive secretary Datuk Ab Rauf Yusof through Messrs Hafarizam Wan & Aisha Mubarak on March 14 at the Kuala Lumpur High Court.

Previously, on March 14, Tian was charged in the Sessions Court with uttering seditious statements on the same issue. He pleaded not guilty.

In the article, Chua was quoted saying that the shooting attack in Lahad Datu was believed to be Umno government planned conspiracy to scare the rakyat, and to distract from the issue of identity cards being given to foreigners.

According to the statement of claim, Tian’s statements have hurt the reputation of UMNO.

Umno also alleged that Tian’s statement is injurious to Umno’s credibility, and portrays that Umno was willing to jeopardise the security of Malaysia for political gain.

"The claims are very serious in which would put the plaintiff in public scandal and would be embarrassed and humiliated by the public and civil society and the international community."

The High Court has set April 11 as the date for case management date at the Jalan Duta Court Complex.