Hindraf leader Uthayakumar cannot claim defamation

Kuala Lumpur, August 7 : Malaysia's Attorney-General Abdul Gani Patail and Inspector-General of Police Musa Hassan said on Thursday that Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) leader P. Uthayakumar does not have the right to claim RM100 million for defamation.

Uthayakumar had filed for a RM100 million defamation suit on January 4 against the government, Musa and Gani, for allegedly linking him with terrorist groups.

He alleged that the statement by Musa, which he claimed defamed him, was made to prevent feelings of hatred towards the government and avoid racial conflict.

According to the New Straits Times, the statements of defence were made available on Wednesday, which said Hindraf being an unlawful organisation had acted against the law by having illegal gatherings and provoking the public to the extent of triggering chaos.

But the defendants claim that the Hindraf gathering on November 25 last year was held despite the police warning them not to do so.

Musa said that the situation reached a worrying level and that Hindraf's actions had become threatening to the nation's security and public safety.

He also said that his statement was in no way referred to Uthayakumar.

Musa alleged that Uthayakumar's detention was lawful and done according to the Internal Security Act 1960.

Gani also claimed that Uthayakumar is making a story saying that his (Gani's) statement published in a Malay daily on December 8 last year, referred to him.

Gani and Musa had requested to the High Court to strike out the defamation suit filed against them on the grounds that Hindraf and Uthayakumar were two different entities and that their (the defendants) statements did not refer to Uthayakumar.

Uthayakumar also claimed that the statements of the defendants published by the media had meant that he was a terrorist.

Judicial commissioner Mohammad Yazid Mustafa will hear the application to strike out on December 2.

ANI