FORMER DAP stalwart Prof Ramasamy Palanisamy has filed a defamation suit against Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow at the sessions court in George Town over alleged defamatory statements made by the latter on his Facebook page which Ramasamy claimed had severely tarnished his reputation.

In his statement of claim, Ramasamy who was Penang’s deputy chief minister II from 2008 to 2023 highlighted that Chow’s Facebook post on Oct 3, 2023 contained false accusations of the former’s involvement in the approval of a deal between Penang Development Corporation (PDC) and Umech Land Sdn Bhd.

According to Ramasamy’s court filing, Chow’s post has suggested that due diligence was carried out with approvals granted by a committee which included Ramasamy for the joint venture project with Umech Land.

Ramasamy who is represented by legal counsel Dr Shamsher Singh Thind of Messr SS THIND refuted the claim, arguing that no due diligence was conducted by the committee in question and that he had not approved the said project.

The then three-term Perai state assemblyman further claimed that the meeting referenced in Chow’s post was actually chaired by Chow himself and involved Umech Construction Sdn Bhd instead of Umech Land.

In his suit, Ramasamy further claimed that Chow’s allegedly defamatory remarks implied his involvement in corrupt practices, thus damaging his standing as a respected politician and former academic.

After leaving DAP just prior to the six states polls in August last year, Ramasamy has formed the United Rights of Malaysian Party (Urimai) in which he is currently the interim council chairman.

Ramasamy wants unconditional public apology

For context, the Batu Kawan land deal involving a 226-hectare plot which was initially sold through a directly negotiated tender has become controversial due to claims that it was sold below the market value. PDC initially sold the land to Umech Land for RM646 mil.

Following the controversy and a change in Umech Land’s majority ownership, PDC cancelled the joint venture agreement and subsequently opened the sale of the land through an open tender.

In his suit, Ramasamy has demanded general, aggravated and exemplary damages along with a 5% annual interest on the damages from the date of assessment until full payment.

Ramasamy also sought a mandatory injunction for Chow to retract the statements and publish an unconditional public apology in several major newspapers and on Facebook.

Chow has yet to file his defence. However, in a letter dated Nov 29 last year, his legal representatives denied all liability and refused to comply with the demands outlined in Ramasamy’s letter of demand.

The case is slated for case management on Aug 6. - July 29, 2024

https://focusmalaysia.my/ramasamy-strikes-back-with-legal-action-against-penang-cm-chow-for-defamation-over-land-sale/