KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 31) : After being sued for defamation by businessman Tan Sri Vincent Tan over a recent speech, Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor now faces similar legal action from Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amiruddin Shaari.
Amiruddin filed the lawsuit at the Shah Alam High Court on Wednesday (Aug 30), through the legal firm of Haijan Omar, naming his Kedah counterpart as the sole defendant.
The Selangor menteri besar claimed that Sanusi’s speech on Aug 2 was slanderous, false and disparaging of him, and that recordings of the speech were still available on various online platforms, including YouTube and news portals.
He claimed that the speech gives the impression that he has abused his power as the Selangor menteri besar in causing 600 acres of state land worth RM10 billion to be given to Tan or the tycoon's company, Berjaya Land Bhd, for free.
He further alleged that Sanusi's statements insinuates that he had abused his power in colluding with Tan by letting the businessman take over 55% of Menteri Besar Inc (MBI) or its subsidiary, and collude with Tan for the Selangor Maritime Gateway (SMG) project that will result in a loss of RM180 million for the state.
Amiruddin also claimed that the statements meant that he is unfit to be the menteri besar, is corrupt, has colluded with businessmen in a corrupt way at the expense of the people, has used his position to enrich himself, and is involved in cronyism.
The Selangor leader maintained that the SMG project is owned by MBI, with permission granted to a joint-venture vehicle called Landasan Lumayan Berjaya Sdn Bhd (owned by state-owned Landasan Lumayan Sdn Bhd and Berjaya Land) to develop 106.3 acres alienated for the project.
Amiruddin also maintained that Tan was never awarded the 600 acres land for free and that the state did not lose RM180 million as alleged.
He claimed that Sanusi acted in malice by uttering the defamatory words just before the Selangor state elections, and that it had led to him (Amiruddin) being ridiculed by the public, with the contemptuous comments causing him distress, anxiety and embarrassment.
The Selangor menteri besar is seeking aggravated, exemplary and general damages, and an injunction to restrain Sanusi from repeating the words.
Prior to this, Tan had filed a similar suit against Sanusi and subsequently obtained an ex-parte injunction against Sanusi, which has been extended until Oct 25, pending the hearing of the inter-partes injunction.