Zaharudin Serves Sim Legal Notice Threatens Rm1 5mil Defamation Suit

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 Sungai Buloh PAS chief Zaharudin Muhammad gives DAP’s Steven Sim seven days to retract his allegedly defamatory remarks and apologise or face legal action.
DAP deputy secretary-general Steven Sim said last week that he was ready to face Sungai Buloh PAS chief Zaharudin Muhammad in court.PETALING JAYA: Sungai Buloh PAS chief Zaharudin Muhammad has served a letter of demand on Steven Sim following criticism by the DAP deputy secretary-general over a Facebook post related to the promotion of a Chinese officer in the armed forces
In the letter dated July 3, issued by legal firm Nur Maidin & Co, Zaharudin demanded that Sim retract his allegedly defamatory remarks and issue a public apology, failing which he said the DAP leader would be sued for RM1.5 million.
“Our client hereby demands the sum of RM1.5 million as fair and just compensation for your defamatory statements.
“Our client demands that you comply with the remedial actions immediately and in any event, no later than seven days from the date of this letter,” the lawyers said.
Sim said last Thursday that he was ready to go to court to defend his criticism of Zaharudin, who described the comments by the human resources minister on his Facebook post as prejudicial.
In his post, Zaharudin had speculated that Malaysia could see its first prime minister of Chinese descent in the next 30 to 40 years.
Zaharudin, the son-in-law of PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang, also uploaded a screenshot of a news report about Johnny Lim’s promotion which he said was only for illustrative purposes.
The post, which was subsequently deleted, prompted accusations of racism from several quarters and criticism, including from Zaharudin’s own party.
Sim was among those who had called for Zaharudin to be investigated.
He accused Zaharudin of fanning racial sentiments and said that he had merely spoken out against racism when criticising him.
Zaharudin said he travelled from Kuala Lumpur to Sim’s parliamentary service centre in Bukit Mertajam, Penang, yesterday to personally deliver the letter of demand, but was unable to do so as the office was closed.
“I went to the Bukit Mertajam MP’s service centre but unfortunately, no one was there.
“He (Sim) accused me of insulting the armed forces, of being racist, and more. I’ve sent the letter and am now awaiting his public apology. My lawyer will also follow up by sending it via email,” he told FMT.
Zaharudin also challenged Sim to a public debate on the Malaysia My Second Home programme, which he said was the actual issue he had intended to raise – not the alleged questioning of the Chinese lieutenant-general’s promotion. - FMT

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