Alleged adviser to Najib issues legal letter against Syed Saddiq
An alleged media adviser to former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak is demanding that former youth and sports minister Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman apologise over an allegation of conspiracy to weaken Bersatu.
Habibul Rahman Kadir Shah, through law firm Messrs Jahaberdeen & Co, issued the letter of demand dated today to former Bersatu Youth chief Syed Saddiq (above).
When contacted by Malaysiakini this afternoon, lawyer Jahaberdeen Mohamed Yunoos confirmed the issuance of the legal letter against the Muar MP, who is now with the Malaysian United Democratic Alliance (Muda).
According to a copy of the legal letter, Habibul’s contention was over statements that Syed Saddiq allegedly made during a press conference at the Seri Pacific Hotel in Kuala Lumpur, on Oct 2, 2017.
During the media briefing, then Bersatu Youth chief Syed Saddiq announced that he turned down a scholarship to pursue his Master's degree in public policy at the Oxford University, England, so as to remain in politics.
He also alleged there was a reason for the press conference to be called at the purported Umno-linked hotel, claiming a conspiracy backed by unnamed party leaders to weaken Bersatu by "threatening or bribing" its leaders.
Through today's letter of demand, it was contended that untrue defamatory statements were made against Habibul, which allegedly injured his public reputation as a public figure and company director.
Habibul’s lawyers demanded, within nine days from today, for Syed Saddiq to publish in a newspaper or media of the businessperson’s choice, a suitably worded apology over the publication of the alleged defamatory statement.
Habibul’s legal team seeks for Syed Saddiq to make an undertaking not to repeat the alleged defamatory statements, and within seven days from today to make an offer of damages to be paid to the businessperson.
The businessperson’s lawyers said in the event of failure to abide by the demands, they have instructions to commence legal proceedings against the politician.
Malaysiakini is attempting to reach out to Syed Saddiq and his legal team for a response on the matter.
Habibul’s name was raised during Najib’s RM42 million SRC International corruption trial in April 2019.
