Former attorney-general Tan Sri Mohamed Apandi Ali has sued DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang for RM10 million over an article on the 1MDB scandal.
Apandi claimed that Lim alleged that he had aided and abetted in the scandal.
In his statement of claim, Apandi said Lim had written a defamatory statement which was published in a news portal.
The article titled ‘Dangerous fallacy to think Malaysia is on the road to integrity’ appeared in Malaysiakini on May 6.
It was also republished and shared through WhatsApp, Twitter, Facebook and other forms of social media, he said.
Apandi, who is now practising law, said the article implied that he had been involved in a crime.
The suit was filed on July 5 at the Kuala Lumpur High Court through legal firm Tetuan Saibullah MV Nathan & Co.
In his statement of claim, Apandi said the article depicted him as:
- Irresponsible, not ethical and immoral, without integrity
- Having practised double standards while holding the position of A-G
- Having abused or neglected his duties as the A-G
- Incompetent and lacking the knowledge and expertise to hold the position of A-G.
Apandi said his lawyers had sent Lim a notice of demand on June 13, asking Lim to correct or retract his statement and apologise according to his terms and conditions.
However, he said Lim refused or failed to accede to his demand, following which he filed the suit.
Apandi is seeking RM10 million in general damages and further compensation for aggravated and exemplary damages inclusive of 5% interest.
He is also seeking costs and other reliefs deemed fit by the court, as well as an injunction to stop Lim or his agents from further publishing the article, either in part or in whole.
In January 2016, Apandi cleared then-prime minister Najib Razak of wrongdoing in the 1MDB and SRC International cases due to lack of evidence.
He also said the RM2.6 billion found in Najib’s account was a donation from Arab royalty.
Last year, Najib was charged with money laundering, abuse of power and criminal breach of trust in the two cases.