KOTA KINABALU, Nov 28 ― Sabah Assistant Finance Minister Datuk Ramlee Marhaban has filed a defamation lawsuit against two Parti Warisan Sabah leaders who alleged he lived beyond his means.
Ramlee, who is also Bugaya assemblyman, is suing Warisan vice president Junz Wong and its Youth chief, Datuk Mohd Azis Jamman, over a news article and social media postings alleging his wealth.
Ramlee’s lawyer, Marcel Joseph, said he filed the suit at 10am.
In the writ of summons, Ramlee cites an article published by the Borneo Post on November 15 titled “Who own these house, luxury cars and private jet?”
He alleged that the contents of the article along with other offending posts by the two respondents and their associates have tarnished his image by suggesting that he was corrupt.
Ramlee further claimed that the allegations implied he abused his position as deputy finance minister, lived in luxury at the expense of his constituents, and was consequently dishonest and unfit to hold his posts as a state official and lawmaker.
“The defendants had published these words without even seeking the plaintiff’s comments or views. The defendants in publishing these words were reckless and did not seek confirmation from the plaintiff.
“The plaintiff has in consequence been gravely injured in his character, credit and reputation and has been brought into public scandal, odium and contempt and hurt in his feelings,” according to the statement of claim.
The deputy minister is also suing the two men for alleged trespass, claiming that they operated an aerial drone over his premises without his permission or the necessary approval from authorities.
He is seeking RM10 million in damages and other relief, along with an injunction preventing Wong and Aziz from repeating their allegations in any form.
Wong and Aziz earlier this month distributed photographs of over a dozen luxury and performance cars as well as of a mansion replete with an indoor badminton court and swimming pool, and questioned how Ramlee came to possess these.
The photographs showed cars such as a Mercedes S-Class, a Range Rover, an Audi, two Lamborghinis, a Ferrari, an Aston Martin, two Nissan GT-R, and a Toyota FJ Cruiser.
