Malaysiakini: "WE WILL FIGHT!"
"We will fight!"
That's the response from Malaysiakini editor Steven Gan after the online news portal was served a letter of demand by Messrs Shearn Delamore on behalf of Abdul Taib Mahmud, Sarawak's Chief Minister for the last 26 years.
Taib wanted 8 articles concerning accusations of corruption, involving RM32 million of logging kickbacks from Japan allegedly linked to him and his family, removed.
He also threatened to take legal action should Malaysiakini refuse to comply within 48 hours.
These are the demands that Taib wanted Malaysiakini comply within 48 hours as detailed in the letter which was hand-delivered by Shearn Delamore late April 19:
- Stop from publishing defamatory words or similar words to that effect.
- Immediately publish a full public retraction and apology according to terms approved by Taib.
- Provide Taib with a written undertaking within 48 hours that the website will refrain from publishing defamatory words or similar words to that effect.
- Nominate a substantial compensation sum within 48 hours for injury and damage to Taib’s reputation.
- Indemnify Taib of all costs incurred in this matter.
'Mother of all court battles'
In its top headline item today, Malaysiakini quoted Gan as saying that the online news portal intends to fight the law suit to the last.
"The law suit was aimed at muzzling Malaysiakini," Gan said. Quote:
“If by filing the law suit, Taib hopes to intimidate us, he is dead wrong. When we go to court, we have a long list of witnesses whom we plan to call - starting with the ACA and Japan’s tax authorities,” he said. “This could turn out to be the mother of all court battles.”
“Over the past seven years, we have published numerous reports on corruption. Malaysiakini is not in the business of apologising every time we report on such scandals. As journalists, we have a duty to report on such matters, which are of public interest,” he added.
Meanwhile, DAP announced that its lawyers, including 'legal lion' and national chairperson Karpal Singh, have offered to defend Malaysiakini..
In a statement today, DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng explained that the party was committed to defending press freedom.
Lim also asked if the chief minister plans to also sue Japan Times over its report.
Malaysiakini said its series of articles on Taib's alleged corruption were follow-ups to a Japan Times news report on March 29, titled: Wood carriers allegedly hid 1.1 billion yen income.
Google has about 121 items on the Japan Times report on last count.
Comments
Well, the NKF scandal in Singapore came to light because of a law-suit from its then CEO trying to muzzle the press. Is history repeating itself?
Posted by: cskok8![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.jeffooi.my/nav-commenters.gif)
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April 21, 2007 12:20 AM
Congratulations, Chief Minister.
Had you allowed the ACA to investigate your claims, there is a strong (although not at all certain) possibility that the investigation would have been quietly concluded, with only members of the Opposition, bloggers, NGOs like Transparency International and other lower life forms dragging your skeleton out of your closet on a regular basis, lamenting about how you managed to get away scot-free from your allegedly "corrupt" acts. Yet again.
Now, we'll get to see the evidence reviewed in court, in full view of everyone. The ACA now must (okay, should, should... let's not underestimate how busy they are) investigate, or make an appearance of investigating. Plus, now the foreign media, who may have more resources than a poodunk backwood online e-News portal (and, as a result, have better-paid lawyers), will get into the game of covering your dirty laundry. Whoops!
Tell me, do you and your buddies make these sorts of tactical blunders by yourselves or do you pay special people who think real hard about the most spectacular way to screw up?
Posted by: T-Boy![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.jeffooi.my/nav-commenters.gif)
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April 21, 2007 12:33 AM
As a long-standing Sarawakian (this is my 36th year as a citizen of this state), I truly hope this is the beginning of the end.
Any terms longer than 2 terms or ten years is far too long.
Posted by: Hansac![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.jeffooi.my/nav-commenters.gif)
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April 21, 2007 07:24 AM
If not handled properly this could be the end of the long time politician. [ DELETED ]
On the other hand it looks as though Malaysiakini is prepared for this day, it will probably make them even more popular.
Posted by: Jan![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.jeffooi.my/nav-commenters.gif)
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April 21, 2007 08:16 AM
Wow....32M, that is hell a lot of money. If half of the money can be used for the development in that state itself.....
BTW, didnt see this being reported in the mainstream newspaper...hmm....
Posted by: Bill Lee![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.jeffooi.my/nav-commenters.gif)
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April 21, 2007 09:32 AM
[ DELETED ]
yea we will surely like to see this battle out in court. [ DELETED ]
Posted by: groo![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.jeffooi.my/nav-commenters.gif)
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April 21, 2007 09:44 AM
Ha! This should be fun. Good on Malaysiakini and DAP to stand up for press freedom.
I actually hope that Taib continues with the lawsuit so that this issue gets bigger publicity!
Posted by: osaya![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.jeffooi.my/nav-commenters.gif)
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April 21, 2007 09:51 AM
We have had too much of corrupted (as perceived by rakyat) chief ministers in the various states at some time or other ... Selangor, Johor, Melaka, Sabah, Sarawak particularly come to mind.
Its time we stand up to these assholes!
[ DELETED ]
Posted by: Peasant![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.jeffooi.my/nav-commenters.gif)
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April 21, 2007 09:59 AM
Yes, let's sue Google to the smithereens as well. Blast them with [ DELETED ] out of the World Wide Web.
Any suppliers?
Posted by: aku anak malaysia![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.jeffooi.my/nav-commenters.gif)
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April 21, 2007 12:02 PM
Wow...there's a storm a-brewing. And this is to go all the way, come what may...
Posted by: LC Teh![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.jeffooi.my/nav-commenters.gif)
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April 21, 2007 04:05 PM
I think taib will not pursue this case....
Posted by: art chan![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.jeffooi.my/nav-commenters.gif)
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April 21, 2007 07:36 PM
cskok8,
In Bolehland, you don't expect same outcome as Singapore.
Don't be surprised when Dollah ask to "Stop it".
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Offtopic
Despite rich natural resources, Sarawak deems to be one of the poorest states in Bolehland.
Posted by: moo_t![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.jeffooi.my/nav-commenters.gif)
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April 21, 2007 08:19 PM
I am quite suspicious of the timing of the article and the suit, which coincided with Umno's announcement of setting up Umno branches in Sarawak. Sarawak may end up like Sabah, after what Umno has plotted . ( You can read about it in Malaysia Today website). I am not saying Malaysiakini is colluding with Umno but somehow someone in Umno will use this to pressure Taib to allow Umno to set foot in Sarawak and that will spell the end of Sarawak and one can only see the state Sabah is in now. Look like the "disease" will be spread to Sarawak soon.
Posted by: maggieq![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.jeffooi.my/nav-commenters.gif)
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April 21, 2007 11:43 PM