KUALA LUMPUR – DAP national chairman Lim Guan Eng has issued a letter of demand to former housing and local government minister Datuk Zuraida Kamaruddin, seeking RM5 million in damages, over allegations that he rejected development projects for farmers.
In addition to the RM5 million damages for what he perceives as damage to his reputation, Lim has demanded Zuraida retract her statement, issue a formal apology, and pledge not to make similar claims in the future.
Zuraida’s allegations, initially reported by news portal MalaysiaNow on May 10, suggested that Lim had twice refused a recently announced project to construct houses for former farmers in Bestari Jaya, resulting in its discontinuation.
According to her, she requested an allocation in Budget 2019 for the project from Lim who was finance minister at the time – but her request was ignored.
Lim cited her statement and any allusions as “false, extreme, outrageous, vile, misleading, specious, spurious, and wholly inappropriate”.
He further asserted that the allegations portrayed him as racist and indifferent to the needs of the people, aiming to disrupt national and racial harmony.
“The impugned words are completely untrue and entirely fallacious, hence highly defamatory and is actuated by express and pure malice,” the letter by S.N. Nair & Partners read.
“(It) amounts to a web of lies and deceit spun by you (Zuraida) with malefic and specious intentions to enhance your political mileage and other personal gains, including that of your political party, but to the detriment of (Lim’s) reputation.”
Zuraida has been given three days to provide a “satisfactory response” before legal proceedings are taken against her.
In response to Zuraida’s allegations, Parti Sosialis Malaysia deputy chairperson S. Arutchelvan expressed shock and called for Lim to provide clarification.
Subsequently, former Damansara MP Tony Pua defended Lim by refuting Zuraida’s statement of being a “fictitious tall tale”. – May 13, 2024