Bersih chief to sue Jamal if no apology within 48 hours

(MMO) – Datuk Jamal Md Yunos must apologise to polls reform group Bersih 2.0’s chief Maria Chin Abdullah within two days to avoid a lawsuit, the latter’s law firm said today.

In a letter of demand sent to Jamal, Maria Chin’s lawyer singled out allegedly defamatory remarks that he was said to have made on September 28 in a press conference.

The lawyer said Jamal had purportedly made statements that are “completely false, malicious and defamatory”, referring to his accusations that Bersih 2.0 was plotting to take over airports and topple the government and tying its upcoming rally to the Islamic State (IS).

“Further the defamatory statements are calculated to injure our client’s reputation and a blatant attempt to mislead the public on a matter of national interest,” the letter of demand signed by lawyer Melissa Sasidaran said.

Maria Chin’s lawyers then demanded that Jamal publish a full withdrawal of his statements and apology according to terms approved by her; as well as give a written undertaking not to publish the defamatory statements or make similar remarks.

They also demanded that he pay an “appropriate sum” of damages to compensate her for the injury done to her reputation.

“Take notice that if we do not receive your compliance with all of the above within 48 hours from the date hereof, we have our client’s instructions to commence legal proceedings in Court without further reference to you,” the letter addressed to the Sungai Besar Umno division chief said.

The Red Shirts clashed with Bersih 2.0’s convoy in Perak last Saturday.

The polls reform group is currently on a nationwide convoy ahead of its Bersih 5 rally in Kuala Lumpur on November 19.