KUALA LUMPUR: The remarks by Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor on the Selangor Maritime Gateway (SMG) project are capable of destroying Berjaya Land Bhd's reputation in the local and international business world and causing hundreds of millions in losses, says Tan Sri Vincent Tan.
The Berjaya Group founder said this in his statement of claim in a defamation lawsuit against Muhammad Sanusi.
Tan, who is the first plaintiff, together with Berjaya Land as the second plaintiff, filed the suit against Muhammad Sanusi at the Shah Alam High Court via Messrs Pierre Chuah & Associates on Aug 8.
"The plaintiffs together with all the related corporations have a total combined revenue of RM33.3bil.
"The slanderous and false statements also undermine public trust, not only in the plaintiffs, but also in the institutions and governmental bodies associated with the SMG project, creating a damaging atmosphere filled with suspicion," it said.
Tan is suing the Kedah caretaker Mentri Besar over a speech the politician made on Aug 2 during one of the election campaigns, known as “Jelajah Mega PN Best” or “PN Best Sayangi Kedah Sejahtera mega tour” at Dataran Darulaman, Jitra, Kedah.
He said the speech was broadcast live to the public and was recorded and published on news portals.
The businessman contended that Muhammad Sanusi made specific and direct reference to him in his defamatory statements whereby the defendant had, on multiple occasions, uttered Tan's name throughout the speech.
He said the defendant's statements were defamatory and slanderous and were meant to say that he (Tan) was a corrupt businessman, a crony to caretaker Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari, and had benefited under the administration of the Selangor MB through cronyism and nepotism, among others.
As a result of the defendant's statement, Tan said his reputation has been irreparably damaged wherein his and the company's character and social creditworthiness have been severely tarnished and severely degraded.
Tan had issued a letter of demand (LOD) to Muhammad Sanusi on Aug 4, demanding a public apology and retraction of the statement.
However, he said the defendant had replied to the LOD on Aug 8 with refusal to comply with Tan's demands.
Tan is seeking an injunction to restrain the defendant from repeating or publishing the statements.
He also sought general, compensatory, aggravated and exemplary damages, as well as interest, costs and other reliefs deemed fit by the court.
