Demands apology and compensation from Kula for alleged defamation within 48 hours.
The controversial preacher also issued a letter of demand to Kula Segaran, seeking an apology and damages for alleged defamation.
In the letter, Zakir said he will sue if the minister does not apologise and offer a “reasonable sum” as settlement within 48 hours.
Penang Deputy Chief Minister II P Ramasamy, Klang MP Charles Santiago, Bagan Dalam assemblyman Satees Muniandy and former ambassador Dennis J Ignatius are the others Zakir lodged the report against.
Zakir, who holds permanent resident status in Malaysia, lodged the report in Shah Alam this morning.
Naik’s lawyer, Datuk Akberdin Abdul Kader, said the alleged defamatory statements were made in a press release titled ‘Zakir Naik’s presence in Malaysia is embarrassing to all Malaysians’ and published by news media.
The demand letter also said Kula’s statement, among others, implied that Naik is a dishonest person who would abuse the Islamic religion for his own selfish purpose.
Furthermore, Zakir accused Kula of misusing the Human Resources Ministry official letterhead for personal and political gain and unilaterally issuing statements against the notion of collective responsibility.
The demand letter was served today at Kula’s office in Putrajaya. It is understood that Kula is currently abroad on official duty.
Akberdin revealed that lawyer Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah would also be acting for Zakir over this matter.
According to the police report, Zakir accused the five individuals of defaming him with their statements and articles.
Citing a slew of articles, he said: “The press releases and articles had misled and confused the public at large towards the true intention of my speech (in Kelantan last week) in spreading ‘dakwah‘ (preaching), peace and harmony among the citizens.”
“The said individuals had wrongly quoted me out of context during my reply to one of the questions posed to me after my speech on the topic ‘Misconceptions about Islam’. Clearly, they had twisted and manipulated to my disadvantage and to feed their mischievous own political agenda.
“The defamatory statements have, inter alia, in no uncertain terms tarnished, smeared and/or damaged my reputation, standing and/or credibility and inflicted myself with scandal, odium and untold contempt in the eyes of the public.
“The said unfounded allegations and unwarranted instigation against me have created communal disharmony and discord among the peaceful citizens of Malaysia,” he added.
As for Ignatius, the preacher claimed the former ambassador’s articles have given the impression that he is a person of bad character.
“The ramifications created by the said defamatory statements are unfounded, untrue and defamatory in nature and constitute a grave and bitter slander upon myself.
“I lodge this report so as to enable the police to commence an investigation against the said individuals under the Penal Code and/or Sedition Act and other relevant laws for defaming me and for instigating racial disharmony and hatred among the citizens of Malaysia,” he added.