Ex-AG Apandi files RM10 million defamation suit against Kit Siang

(FMT) – Former attorney-general (AG) Mohamed Apandi Ali has filed a RM10 million defamation suit against DAP supremo Lim Kit Siang over an article claiming that he aided and abetted in the 1MDB scandal.

In his statement of claim, Apandi, who was AG from July 2015 until his dismissal after Pakatan Harapan swept to power last year, said Lim had written a defamatory statement which was published in a news portal.

The article titled “Dangerous fallacy to think Malaysia is on the road to integrity” appeared in Malaysiakini on May 6 this year.

Apandi, who is now practising law, said the article implied that he had been involved in a crime.

In the suit filed on July 5 at the Kuala Lumpur High Court through legal firm Tetuan Saibullah MV Nathan & Co, he said the article depicted him as an immoral person without integrity.

He said it also implied that he was unethical and irresponsible, and had practised double standards while holding the position of AG.

He claimed the article was untrue, and that it had placed him in public contempt.

It was also republished and shared through WhatsApp, Twitter, Facebook and other forms of social media, he said.

Apandi said his lawyers had sent Lim a notice of demand on June 13, asking the DAP veteran to correct or retract his statement and apologise according to his terms and conditions.

However, he said Lim refused or failed to accede to his demand, following which he filed the suit.

Apandi is seeking RM10 million in general damages and further compensation for aggravated and exemplary damages inclusive of 5% interest.

He is also seeking costs and other reliefs deemed fit by the court, as well as an injunction to stop Lim or his agents from further publishing the article, either in part or in whole.

In January 2016, Apandi cleared then-prime minister Najib Razak of wrongdoing in the 1MDB and SRC International cases due to lack of evidence.

He also said the RM2.6 billion found in Najib’s account was a donation from Arab royalty.

Last year, Najib was charged with money laundering, abuse of power and criminal breach of trust in the two cases.