Kok Sues Jmm Chief For Temple Riot Links Claim

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Primary Industries Minister Teresa Kok has filed a defamation suit against Jaringan Melayu Malaysia president Azwanddin Hamzah for linking her to the riots that took place near Seafield Sri Maha Mariamman in Subang Jaya last November
Kok's lawyer Sankara Nair said the suit was filed online at 6pm today in his client's personal capacity
According to the statement of claim distributed to the press, Azwandin was named as the first and second defendants in both his personal capacity and as JMM president
"(At) on or about Dec 25, 2018, at an assembly held at Dataran Seri, Klang, Selangor, the first defendant and/or the second defendant (hereinafter referred to as 'the defendants) made and published a speech ('the impugned speech') [...]"After which the defendants have published and/or republished and/or caused the publication and/or caused the republication of the said impugned speech on the Internet and in print media both locally and internationally," read the statement
Among others, it was said that the defendants had made defamatory statements against Kok as the plaintiff including a reported call for authorities to investigate her alleged links to the riots
Aside from the media reports, it was stated that the defendants had also uploaded a full video of the speech onto his Facebook page
Azwanddin HamzahAccording to the statement of claim, Kok is seeking general, compensatory, aggravated and exemplary damages as assessed by the court on top of an injunction to prevent further distribution of the speech
Kok had previously denied rumours on social media that she was linked to the developer which owns the land occupied by the temple in USJ
The developer, One City Development Sdn Bhd, was accused of hiring thugs to secure the land which triggered two nights of rioting
The company has also denied claims it hired thugs. - Mkini

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