Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor and Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution (right).
PETALING JAYA: Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor has given Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution a week to issue a public apology and a written promise that he will not repeat statements alleging that the former was involved in the theft of rare earth elements (REE) and had misused state funds of Malaysian Records Information System (Marris).
In a letter of demand (LOD) from the caretaker Kedah mentri besar’s lawyers Messrs Tengku Amalin and Fauzi, the incumbent Jeneri state assemblyman stated that the Home Minister had made the statements at a speech, at a press conference in Guar Chempedak and in written statements on July 15.
ALSO READ: No intention to tarnish Sanusi’s image over REE theft, says Saifuddin
Should Saifuddin fail to adhere to the demands in the LOD, Muhammad Sanusi would file a legal suit against the Pakatan Harapan secretary-general for tarnishing his reputation as a competent MB.
Muhammad Sanusi also demanded that Saifuddin pay appropriate compensation for the damages that the allegations had caused to his reputation.
"On July 15, at a public political rally in Guar Chempedak, Kedah, you (Saifuddin) have made these allegations: that our client had been compounded RM500,000 for the theft of REE in a letter dated Oct 4, 2022 and that our client had been involved in the REE theft incident at Kampung Chong, Sik on Sept 24, 2022 at 2.30pm.
"On July 15, in attendance of media personnel, you alleged through a written statement that our client as the Kedah mentri besar had used part of the Marris state fund allocation intended for road repairs for the development of the state," stated the LOD.
It further stated that such allegations by Saifuddin implied that Muhammad Sanusi had no financial governance and had an impaired financial management during his tenure as head of the state.
ALSO READ: MBI was aware of rare earth element theft in Sik, says Saifuddin
On July 15, Saifuddin had challenged Muhammad Sanusi to clarify whether the latter had received a compound letter amounting to RM500,000 over the alleged theft of rare earth in Kampung Chong, Sik.
The Pakatan Harapan secretary-general claimed that the letter, signed by Kedah Director of Lands and Mines Datuk Mohd Fauzi Mustaffa and dated Oct 4 last year, was issued to the Chairman of the Kedah Menteri Besar Incorporated (MBI).
On July 20, a Kedah MBI chief executive officer was remanded by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) with a woman, a company director, over corruption and abuse of power in a probe over the theft of REE.
Muhammad Sanusi had stated that he was willing to cooperate with MACC.
