Uthayakumar files RM 100mil suit against Govt

Friday January 4, 2008


KUALA LUMPUR: Hindu Rights Action Force legal advisor P. Uthayakumar has filed a RM100mil defamation suit against the Government and its two high-ranking officers for allegedly linking him with terrorist groups.

The lawyer, who is currently being detained under the Internal security Act (ISA) at the Kamunting detention centre, named IGP Tan Sri Musa Hassan and Attorney General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail as defendants.

Uthayakumar said both had falsely and maliciously caused to be written and published defamatory words about him and that the allegation of him having terrorist links were "fabricated and politically motivated."

He claimed the defendants made the allegations more than 10 days after a massive peaceful gathering on Nov 25 last year that was organised by Hindraf.

He said that it was an attempt to destroy his credibility and reputation.

He filed a writ of summons and a statement of claim through his lawyers M. Manogar and N. Surendran at the High Court civil registry at 9.11am Friday.

Also present is Uthayakumar’s fiancee, S. Indra Devi, 37, and his supporters.

In the statement of claim, he stated that the words used by the defendants that were published by the media had the meaning that he was a terrorist.

Uthayakumar said the said words also meant that he intended to use violent means to achieve his objectives adding that among others, the said words also meant that he was an immoral person and that he was not a law-abiding citizen.

He said the publication of said words had brought him into public scandal, odium and contempt and has suffered serious damage, both in Malaysia and throughout the world.

The defendants, he said, had failed to produce any evidence whatsoever to substantiate their allegation of terrorism.

He stated that the act of irresponsibility, bad faith and mendacity on the part of defendants entitled for him to get aggravated and exemplary damages.

Uthayakumar is asking the High Court to give him an injunction to restrain Musa and Gani or their agents from further publishing or causing to be published any similar libel upon him.

He is claiming for RM100mil in damages for libel and other costs and relief deemed fit by the court.