Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Abdul Rahman Dahlan has filed a defamation suit against PKR vice-president Rafizi Ramli over the latter's allegations on Expo Negaraku.
In the filing sighted by Malaysiakini, the suit, which was filed on Jan 30 this year, seeks an injunction from the court against Rafizi's allegations as well as a published apology from the Pandan MP.
This is on Rafizi's claims about Expo Negaraku, which was organised by the Economic Planning Unit (EPU) that Rahman heads.
Rafizi had accused Rahman of awarding the RM37 million project to a relative who shared a similar name to the minister.
However, Rahman pointed out that the contractor was not his relative, prompting an open apology from Rafizi to the contractor.
It was reported that Rahman had first instructed his lawyers to send a letter of demand to Rafizi on Jan 9.
'Allegations damaged reputation'
In that letter, he had demanded that Rafizi apologises to him and that the MP does not publish the allegations against him, as well as pays a suitable amount of compensation.
"However, until today, the defendant has failed and refused to fulfil the demands of the plaintiff," reads the court filing of Jan 30.
The suit claimed that Rafizi's allegations had damaged Rahman's reputation and dignity, and caused him to be insulted by the public for supposedly prioritising self-interest and the interests of his family.
It also damaged his credibility as a politician, the suit added.
Rahman is also seeking general damages, aggravated damages, exemplary damages and costs, among others.
In the case management of the matter in the High Court in Kuala Lumpur today, the judge fixed March 12 for Rafizi to file his defence and March 26 for Rahman to reply.
The next case management will be held on March 29, before Justice Mohd Zaki Abdul Wahab.- Mkini
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