Sue Albert For Defamation Instead Of Lodging Police Report Hajiji Told

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 If Sabah Chief Minister Hajiji Noor believes whistleblower Albert Tei has made defamatory claims, he should file a civil suit rather than involve the police, said Tei’s lawyer Mahajoth Singh.
ADS“My client maintains that he has made no defamatory statements whatsoever.
“Should the chief minister feel otherwise, the appropriate course of action would be to initiate a defamation suit through the courts, rather than resorting to police action as a means of intimidation,” he said in a statement this evening.
Mahajoth (above) described the lodging of a police report against his client as an infringement of constitutional rights and a misuse of public resources.
“The police should not be used to stifle legitimate expression or criticism. Doing so not only undermines public confidence in law enforcement but also raises questions about the abuse of power by those holding high office.
“It is disappointing that instead of following due legal process, the Chief Minister’s Office has chosen to lodge a police report - an action that may be perceived as an attempt to use state machinery to silence dissent,” he added.
Whistleblower Albert TeiHe also questioned whether the move was made with proper legal counsel.
“My client remains resolute in defending his rights under the law. He will continue to speak the truth without fear or favour and will not be intimidated into silence,” said Mahajoth.
‘False and malicious’
This is not the first time Tei has challenged Hajiji to take him to court. In December, the businessperson offered to surrender video recordings and alleged evidence implicating several assemblypersons in court.
The police report was filed yesterday by Hajiji’s special officer, Mazlan @ Joehari Manan, who claimed that Tei’s recent comments outside court amounted to defamation.
He alleged Tei made a series of “false and malicious” statements targeting not just Hajiji, but also the MACC and the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC).
During a livestreamed press conference outside the Kota Kinabalu courthouse on June 30, Tei questioned why only he and two assemblypersons had been charged in the mining scandal.
Sabah Chief Minister Hajiji NoorHe referred to them as “anchovies” while implying that “sharks” had been spared from prosecution.
He also named Hajiji, accusing authorities of selective enforcement.
The press conference took place shortly after Tei and the two assemblypersons were charged in connection with the scandal. - Mkini

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