Woman senator files RM50mil libel suit
Alam Faizli
Saturday April 14, 2001
Woman senator files RM50mil libel suit
By Hemala Devaraj
hem...@thesundaily.com
KUALA LUMPUR, Fri: A senator has filed a RM50 million defamation suit
against the former president of the Persatuan Ushawan Wanita Bumiputra
Malaysia (Usahanita) for allegedly distributing a defamatory letter
involving her.
Datuk Nor Azah Awin, 48, who is also secretary-general of the
Malaysian Senators Club named businesswoman Nor Azizah Borhan as
defendant.
In her statement of claim dated April 2, Nor Azah said the defendant
had on Dec 14, 1999, wrote a defamatory letter about her to the Prime
Minister, Datuk Seri Dr Mahathir Mohamad, which was also forwarded to
other political figures such as Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri
Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.
Among other things, the letter alleges Nor Azah had unlawfully
transferred ownership of one of the defendant's property to herself by
forging her signature.
She said the defendant also maliciously stated in the letter that she
had business ties with the siblings of former deputy prime minister
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, therefore, insinuating she was not a
supporter of the government.
She said a copy of the letter was handed to her on Aug 14 last year by
International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Rafidah Aziz who
informed her there was a possibility the letter would be circulated to
the public.
The senator claimed the words in the letter meant and were understood
to mean she is a person of no integrity, is unfit to be a leader and
an example to the people and is an irresponsible businesswoman and
corporate figure.
She claims her character, credibility and reputation have been injured
and she has been brought into public scandal, odium and contempt.
She claims Nor Azizah's motive in writing the letter was "to give vent
to her spite and ill will" over Nor Azah's appointment as a senator.
In the High Court today, counsel for the defendant R. Thayakugan and
Ramesh N.P. Chandran asked Justice Datuk Dr R.K. Nathan for an
extension to file their affidavits in reply.
The judge fixed May 16 for case management.
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