By Lian Cheng
KUCHING, Aug 7: Sarawak Federation of Chinese Associations president Datuk Richard Wee today served a legal writ on Michael Kong, special assistant to Sarawak DAP Chief Chong Chieng Jen, over an alleged defamatory statement on the latter’s social media page.
Wee’s legal council Shankar Ram Asnani when contacted said he had been instructed by Wee to file a suit against Kong which he did this morning for a number of highly defamatory statements made on Kong’s Facebook page.
“We have also served Messrs. Chong Brother Advocates the Sealed Copy of the Writ and Statement of Claim.
“Datuk Richard Wee views the allegations made by Micheal Kong against him as unjust, unfounded and calculated to cause irreparable harm to his good family name and his business reputation.
“Datuk Richard Wee views this matter seriously and has full confidence that he will be vindicated,” revealed Shankar, added that he could not disclose more.
Meanwhile, when contacted, Kong said he had not yet seen the writ and as such, he would prefer not to comment.
Only July 27, Wee had already indicated that he would initiate a legal suit against Kong for the defamatory post.
Wee had earlier told a local daily that it is likely that more urban and Chinese voters in Sarawak would support Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) in the upcoming Sarawak election due to the commitment shown by the coalition to fight for Sarawak’s rights.
In response, Kong released a statement that Wee should declare his personal and business interests with the current GPS government particularly Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB).
Kong stated that Wee has been a business partner of PBB deputy secretary-general Datuk Ibrahim Baki.
“Therefore, it is obvious that Datuk Richard Wee is closely connected to PBB through his business connection.
“With such a close business background and connection with PBB, it is only natural that Dato Richard Wee would want to see the continued victory of PBB in the coming Sarawak State Elections,” Kong had alleged on his social media page on July 21.
Viewing Kong’s statement as highly defamatory, Wee clarified on July 27 that his statement in the local daily was a combination of personal observation and comments received from businessmen and community leaders.
“My earlier press statement saying that the Chinese are trending more towards GPS is based on my personal observation and opinion after feedback from community leaders, businessmen, cross section of the community, etc and the special officer of Chong Chieng Jen, Mr Michael Kong has taken what I have said out of spite and maliciously attack my character and reputation,” Wee asserted in his July 27 statement. — DayakDaily
