KUALA LUMPUR – DAP vice-chairperson Teresa Kok has filed a civil defamation suit against Umno Youth chief Datuk Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh over his allegedly slanderous remarks against her regarding the mandatory halal certification issue.
Kok’s lawyers from S.N. Nair & Partners law firm served the writ of summons and statement of claim on Akmal through the Merlimau assemblyman’s appointed legal firm, Messrs. Fahri, Azzat & Co, today.
According to the suit filed at the Melaka High Court, Kok is suing Akmal over statements in videos he posted on several social media platforms, which were then reported in news articles.
Accusing Akmal of uttering slanderous and libellous comments that were “untrue, excessive, vile, and pretentious/falsified without any basis whatsoever,” Kok claimed that such remarks were damaging and injurious to her image and reputation.
The suit also stated that the allegations made by Akmal, which contain “implied and explicit malicious intent,” are “extremely reckless, emotionless, entirely irresponsible, derogatory, and inciting.”
Referring to Akmal’s comment about sticking a ‘non-halal’ sticker on Kok’s forehead, the suit detailed: “Only God has the right or power to declare who or what is ‘haram’ and not the defendant, who is a mere mortal.
“This statement by the defendant is an extremely disparaging, abominable, detestable, dehumanising, and heinous utterance, as well as being prima facie defamatory.”
Kok is seeking general, compensatory, aggravated, and exemplary damages, an injunction to restrain Akmal from repeating the alleged defamatory words, as well as other reliefs deemed fit by the court.
Akmal has 14 days from today to enter his appearance; failing which, Kok will be able to proceed to judgment and execution.
However, in a recent Facebook post, Akmal said that he “does not have an ounce of fear” in himself to face Kok, adding that he is prepared to face the five-time elected lawmaker.
Previously, Akmal had dismissed a letter of demand from Kok seeking RM25 million in damages.
In his video, Akmal criticised Kok for voicing her opinion on the proposal for mandatory halal certification—including for eateries that do not serve pork and alcohol—and called her an “old nyonya,” whom he claimed embarrassed the country by threatening national harmony.
“I would like to ask the government to print a ‘non-halal’ logo (and) stick it on this old nyonya’s forehead,” Akmal said in the video. – October 25, 2024