PETALING JAYA: Former Penang deputy chief minister P Ramasamy has filed a defamation suit against controversial Muslim preacher Dr Zakir Naik for allegedly referring to him as “the biggest enemy of Islam”.
In his statement of claim filed at the High Court in Kuala Lumpur on Dec 3, he sought damages, inclusive of interest and other reliefs deemed fit by the court, for the remarks purportedly made during a speech in Nigeria.
Advertisement
Ramasamy also sought for Naik to remove all postings of the speech from his Facebook and other social media platforms.
He likewise demanded an unconditional apology and a statement of regret, to be published in several newspapers should the court allow his suit.
Ramasamy said Naik made the impugned remarks during a speech in Sokoto, Nigeria, on Nov 2 and that a video was uploaded on Naik’s social media platforms on Nov 4.
He said the speech was about a Nov 1 High Court ruling ordering him to pay Naik RM1.52 million in damages for defaming the preacher on five occasions between 2017 and 2019.
Advertisement
He said the speech was widely followed across the world, and that other social media users had shared the defamatory content on their sites.
“The speech marred my reputation in the eyes of the public and exposed me to hatred, ridicule or contempt,” said Ramasamy.
During case management today, senior assistant registrar Nur Shasha Hidayah Nor Azahar directed Naik to file his defence by Jan 16. Ramasamy is expected to file his reply to the defence by Feb 9.
Lawyer Shamsher Singh Thind appeared for Ramasamy while Meor Hafiz Salehan represented Naik in the online proceeding.
