Sunday, April 24, 2011

MINISTER TO SUE ZECHA

Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen is suing ICS CEO Austen Victor Zecha for allegedly defaming her by saying she had solicited a bribe.

She contended that Zecha defamed her in her capacity as the Tourism Minister when he gave a radio interview on March 18 this year over BFM 89.9.

In her statement of claim filed on April 14, Dr Ng said Zecha had stated that she solicited a bribe through a third party from him over the ministry’s advertising tender process.

“In her suit, Dr Ng pleaded that the statements made by Zecha portrayed her as, inter-alia, being dishonest, corrupt and unfit for public office as well as being guilty of abusing her power and position as the Tourism Minister to make a profit for herself,” the minister’s office said in a statement issued yesterday.

Dr Ng contended in her statement of claim that the statements made by Zecha were false, unjustified and defamatory.

She also stated in her claim that the publication of the alleged defamatory statements made by Zecha had been reported locally and internationally.

She is seeking general, aggravated and exemplary damages as well as an apology on terms to be determined by her solicitors in her claim.

“Dr Ng is also seeking injunctive relief to restrain Zecha from publishing or causing to be published or continuing to publish similar words defamatory to her,” the statement added.

The suit has been fixed for case management on May 16 before the Kuala Lumpur High Court.

The writ of summons and statement of claim were served on Zecha’s solicitors on April 15. Zecha was named as the sole defendant.

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