Carpet trader Deepak Jaikishan has today filed a defamation suit against Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak for his comments and claims that the businessperson “is not credible”.
The suit was filed at the Kuala Lumpur High Court registry this afternoon through law firm M/s Daim & Gamany.
Deepak claims the prime minister had uttered the defamatory words at a press conference last month, after chairing a BN meeting.
The trader cited a report in Malaysiakini titled PM dismisses eepak’s allegations as ‘not true’, in which Deepak said Najib painted a discrediting picture and tarnished his reputation during the press conference.
The statement made by Najib reflected Deepak as not having a good reputation, being a liar and a person who could not be trusted, having low morals, and who does not deserve to have any professional relations.
Deepak is seeking for general, aggravated, and exemplary damages.
He claims that Najib had maliciously questioned his credibility.
The crux of the carpet trader’s suit is over Najib’s statement, and Deepak’s role in helping former private investigator P Balasubramaniam to retract his first statutory declaration related to Najib’s alleged involvement in the Altantuya Shaariibuu murder, for political analyst Abdul Razak Baginda had been charged with abetting and acquitted.
The suit comes just before Parliament is to be dissolved for the 13th general elected. If Najib does not move to dissolve Parliament by April 28, it will dissolve automatically on that date to pave the way for the election.
Lawyers Sivarasa Rasiah and Afiq M Noor were present when the suit was filed.
‘Second SD drafted by Cecil and son’
Deepak in his statement of claim says he was asked to play a role in the retraction of Balasubramaniam’s first statutory declaration (SD) dated July 1, 2008.
The statement says that on the evening of July 3, 2008, Deepak received a call from Rosmah Mansor (Najib’s wife), asking him to resolve a problem arising from the first SD, which refers to Najib’s alleged links with the Mongolian translator Altantuya.
“I was asked to go to their official residence in Sri Satria to discuss with Najib. I informed Najib that Balasubramaniam does not want to meet with me and that the first SD is the truth.”
During the meeting, Najib contacted his lawyer and younger brother Nazim (left) to discuss ways so that Balasubramaniam would retract the first SD. Deepak contacted Balasubramaniam and relayed the private investigator’s intention to meet Najib or Rosmah should they want him to withdraw the first SD.
However, Deepak claims, after discussions with Najib and Rosmah, it was suggested that Nazim would meet with Balasubramaniam.
Between 11pm and midnight on July 4, Deepak, Balasubramaniam and Nazim met at The Curve in Damansara.
“During the discussion, Nazim asked Balasubramaniam to make the second SD, denying the allegations made in the first SD in return for money, protection and to leave the country.
“The second SD was prepared by senior lawyer Cecil Abraham and his son Sunil Abraham from Zul Rafique & Partners on Najib’s instructions. Balasubramaniam signed the second SD on the morning of July 4 before a commissioner of oaths,” Deepak adds in his statement of claim.
He further claimed that Cecil and Sunil refused to attend the press conference by Balasubramaniam (right) on his second SD. Another lawyer by the name of Arulampalam accompanied Balasubramaniam during the media meet.
Deepak claimed he acted as directed by Rosmah and expressed regret for taking part in the conspiracy to help Najib and Rosmah in the preparation of the second SD.
What he related in his statement of claim, he adds, is the truth and he would prove it on his day in court.
Commenting on the filing of his suit later, Deepak said he has promised to give the entire amount of damages he could get if he wins the defamation suit to Altantuya’s children and family.
Cecil Abraham has previously refused to comment on the allegations made against him by Deepak.
