KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 26 ― Perkasa chief Datuk Ibrahim Ali filed a defamation lawsuit today against English daily The Star and its chief executive officer (CEO) Datuk Seri Wong Chun Wai over the latter’s opinion piece on the “bible-burning” issue last month.
In his statement of claim, Ibrahim alleged that Wong had in his column “On the Beat”, written a piece titled “A mind-boggling spin”, which he said implied that he was stupid for his bible-burning remarks, had issued a provocative statement and should be charged with sedition.
The Malay right chief also noted that the said article was carried in both the daily and its news portal The Star Online.
Ibrahim also claimed that Wong had portrayed him as a religious extremist for allegedly mocking Christianity, and that he had also provoked enmity and religious disharmony among those of various races and belief.
The former Pasir Mas MP said that Wong’s commentary was also intended to cause malice.
Ibrahim claimed that before the commentary was published, Wong had not contacted him for verification or clarification.
Ibrahim further claimed that the allegedly defamatory article also questioned the decision of the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) in not wanting to pursue legal action against him.
He filed the lawsuit at the Shah Alam High Court registry today through his lawyer Adnan Seman.
Ibrahim is seeking general, exemplary, aggravated damages from Wong and The Star as well as an injunction prohibiting the daily from publishing any article which could further defame him.
“As a senior features writer, he (Wong) should be more responsible and not take it (commentary) out of point of law.
“So now let the court to decide, I will fight all the way to seek justice as it’s also to clear my bad image tainted by certain groups against me,” he told reporters at a press conference later.
Ibrahim’s call in January last year to burn bibles which contain the word “Allah” had sparked furore among lawmakers and civil groups, who called for the Perkasa president to be charged with sedition.
In a statement last month, the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) said it would not press charges against Ibrahim as his remarks failed to qualify for action under the Sedition Act 1948 as it lacked a “seditious tendency” and was meant to defend the sanctity of Islam and not incite religious disharmony.
