KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 25): DAP vice chairman Teresa Kok is suing Umno Youth chief Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh over remarks he allegedly made against her in their row over Malaysia’s halal certification.
The writ of summons, dated Oct 14, has been served to Akmal’s legal firm of Messrs Fahri, Azzat & Co together with a statement of claim. The writ was also filed with the High Court on Wednesday (Oct 23).
Previously in September, Teresa had sent a letter of demand (LOD) to Akmal and sought RM25 million in damages for his comments.
He had called her Nyonya tua (old Nyonya/old lady) and suggested that she should have a non-halal logo placed on her forehead.
Akmal’s response the LOD was to say that he would see her and fight the case in court.
In the writ of summons, Teresa said Akmal’s comments were “slanderous, libellous, untrue, baseless, malicious, and driven by a racist tone”.
The said statements against Teresa was published by Akmal across his social media platforms, all of which were captured in both audio and video forms, according to the writ.
Teresa also cited articles published in an online platform based on the videos entitled "Akmal: Saya Minta Kerajaan Sediakan Logo Non-Halal, Tampal Pada Dahi Teresa” and another with the headline "UMNO Youth Chief swipes at ‘old Nyonya’ Teresa over halal cert”.
The said statements will be adduced in trial, according to the writ of summons.
Teresa is claiming general, compensatory, aggravated and exemplary damages, as well as an injunction that Akmal does not utter those words again.