Ramasamy files RM10 million suit against The Star, journalist

(Bernama) — Penang Deputy Chief Minister II, Dr P. Ramasamy today filed a RM10 million defamation suit against a journalist of The Star and the newspaper publisher.

It was filed at the High Court Civil Registry here through the legal form of Messrs. A.Sivanesan & Co.

The suit, which named Ian McIntyre and Star Publications (M) Bhd as defendants, was over two articles, “Distress in DAP continues” which was published on Dec 23 last year and “What Ramasamy said in the interview with The Star”, published on Dec 27 last year.

In the statement of claim, Ramasamy said that on Dec 21, 2011, Ian interviewed him at his office in Penang and an article on it was published on Dec 23.

He claimed that the article, in its original meaning, implied him as a DAP leader who was corrupt, abused his power and position and of no integrity.

Ramasamy said that following the publication of the article, he called for a media conference on Dev 26 last year to deny having uttered the words, but another article was published by the Star Publications (M) Bhd on Dec 27.

He claimed that the following the publication of the two articles, his position as a leader and reputation had been seriously injured and that he had been brought into public scandal, ridicule and contempt.

He is seeking an injunction to prevent the defendants from further publishing the articles, defamatory damages, as well as aggravated and exemplary damages, cost and other relief deemed fit by the court.