By: By Maria J.Dass (The Sun) (Mon, 13 Jul 2009)
SHAH ALAM (July 13, 2009) : Former Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Khir Toyo has filed a notice of action against Kampung Tunku state assemblyman Lau Weng San, seeking RM2 million in damages and a retraction of an article posted on the latter's blog about his luxury home, dubbed Istana Khir.
The article concerned is a copy of Lau's emergency motion to debate the issue during the ongoing Selangor State Assembly sitting.
Lau, in his motion, had questioned how the Sungai Panjang assemblyman could afford such an expensive property, which sits on two lots of land on Jalan Suasa 7/1L in Shah Alam, costing a total of RM3.8 million.
He also said the matter should be investigated to see if there were elements of corruption and abuse of power on the part of the former Mentri Besar.
Mohd Khir said on July 6 that he had obtained a RM3.5 million loan to buy the property but Sekinchan assemblyman Ng Suee Lim, who had brought the matter to the media's attention, estimates that the Balinese-themed house cost RM24 million.
In the notice dated July 9, filed by his lawyers Athimulan and Company, Mohd Khir is seeking a retraction of the article from Lau’s blog, a full and complete apology to be published via a newspaper ad in a publication of Mohd Khir’s choice, a written undertaking not to repeat or publish the said or similar words and RM20 million for damage to his reputation, financial loss and distress caused by the allegations.
Earlier during the question and answer session at the Dewan, Lau took the opportunity to take a jibe at Mohd Khir by asking about the status of the mulit-million ringgit Exco village built during the latter’s administration of the state.
In questioning Housing, Building Development and Squatters executive councillor Iskandar A.Samad about how much the property cost, he said: "I would like to know this to be able to gauge the property prices in Shah Alam, especially since a former Mentri Besar claims that his loan for a property in Section 7 cost only RM3.5 million."
"Even former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who owns a RM1 million home, has expressed doubts that the property cost only that much," he said.
Meanwhile speaking to reporters after being expelled from the Dewan Mohd Khir said he was willing to forego the RM20 million demand from Lau if he was willing to apologise.
"I am not such a bad person, but I need to clear my name and am not so interested in the RM20 million," he said.
If I win the RM20million I will use it to take all of you here on a holiday, because I do not want the money for myself," he added.
Lau on the other hand told reporters that he would not be retracting the article on the blog and was prepared to face Mohd Khir in court.
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