In a statement released today in response to the headline by Borneo Today, Tengku Fuad Tengku Ahmad said Musa’s suit against Sabah Governor Juhar Mahiruddin and Chief Minister Shafie Apdal was proceeding and that the High Court has fixed Sept 3 to decide on Shafie’s striking-out application.
“The Borneo Today headline is totally misconceived and inaccurate. On June 6, Musa filed an originating summons against Juhar and Shafie to declare, among others, that Musa is the rightful chief minister of Sabah.
“On the same day, Musa instructed us to discontinue the earlier writ of summons, which was filed against Juhar and Shafie on May 17,” he said.
“To say that Musa has ‘dropped the suit’ against Shafie is plainly wrong. Musa, in fact, is continuing his suit against Juhar and Shafie by way of the said originating summons.”
On the issue of costs, Fuad pointed out that it was usual in High Court proceedings for a plaintiff who discontinues a writ to make an offer for costs.
“Musa made an offer for costs of RM5,000 and that was duly accepted and ordered by the court. Borneo Today appears to be trying to make something out of nothing. That is unfortunate.”
He said news portals such as Borneo Today should check their facts before publishing misleading and inaccurate headlines since such conduct can expose the news portal to libel suits and cause the public to become confused in respect of important news items such as Musa’s ongoing case.
High Court to decide on Shafie’s bid to strike out suit on CM-ship