Zakir Naik sues Ramasamy, seeks apology
Preacher says Ramasamy’s articles were calculated attempt to portray him as a bad character, a threat to Malaysia’s national security.
PETALING JAYA: Indian Muslim preacher Dr Zakir Naik has filed a defamation suit in the Kuala Lumpur High Court against Penang Deputy Chief Minister II P Ramasamy over four articles.
Naik is seeking an injunction to restrain Ramasamy from publishing and distributing the reports in any medium, as well as an apology to be published in newspapers and news portals, including FMT, within seven days.
In his statement of claim, filed by Messrs Akberdin and Co, sighted by FMT, Naik also demanded compensation and exemplary damages.
He accused Ramasamy of ridiculing him and depicting him as a bad character and a threat to Malaysia’s security.
He said the DAP leader had called him “satan” in a Facebook posting two years ago, and written a defamatory article titled “Is Malaysia harbouring alleged fugitive Zakir Naik? on FMT in 2017.
He further said Ramasamy had on Aug 11 twisted his speech in Kota Bharu, Kelantan, by saying that Naik had questioned the loyalty of Malaysian Hindus.
Naik also referred to an interview Ramasamy gave to India Today on Aug 20, which he said was an attempt to spread hatred against him globally.
Naik in his statement of claim described himself a renowned preacher and orator on comparative religion, adding that he received numerous awards including the Tokoh Maal Hijrah International Personality Award in 2013.
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It is understood that letters of demand were also sent by Naik to Human Resources Minister M Kula Segaran, Klang MP Charles Santiago, Bagan Dalam assemblyman Satees Muniandy and former ambassador Dennis Ignatius, claiming they had defamed him.