Khalid sues Khir Toyo

By Edward Rajendra, The Star

Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim has filed two defamation suits against Sungai Besar state assemblyman Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Khir Toyo over allegations related to his personal car, a Lexus, and the purchase of 46 cows.

Lawyer Sankara Nair filed the suits at the High Court here yesterday. No financial damages were stated.

The suits relate to “Lexus is my own, says Khalid”, a report in the News Straits Times on Jan 15, and “Lepaskan jawatan MB”, published in Utusan Malaysia on Jan 23.

“Damages are not specified as Khalid is not looking for financial gain,” Sankara said.

“Both suits are for vindication. If Dr Khir had apologised within the seven days given, it would not have come to this.”

Seeking redress: Khalid (second from right) giving a press conference after chairing the Exco meeting in Shah Alam Wednesday. With him are (from left) Exco members Rooziah Ismail, Dr Xavier Jayakumar and Ronnie Liu.

Sankara said two letters of demand for an apology, retraction and damages were posted to Dr Khir, the former Selangor Mentri Besar, on Feb 4, but no apologies or retraction of his statements were made.

“On my client’s part, there are no transgressions as he has the documents to back up his purchase of the Lexus and on the purchase of the cattle which was made solely by PKNS and donor firms, without his involvement,” said Sankara.

“It is up to the courts to decide on the matter.”