Najib’s lawyer wants Ling to settle dispute with PM in BN spirit

The lawyers for Datuk Seri Najib Razak is hoping for a peaceful resolution to the issue of Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik's allegedly defamatory remarks against the prime minister. – The Malaysian Insider file pic, October 6, 2015.Lawyer Datuk Mohd Hafarizam Harun hopes former MCA president Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik will retract a defamatory statement made against Datuk Seri Najib Razak over the prime minister's handling of state investment vehicle 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB).

"I do hope he seeks legal advice and comes to an amicable settlement in the spirit of BN camaraderie," he told The Malaysian Insider via SMS.

Hafrizam confirmed that his legal firm Hafarizam Wan & Aisha Mubarak had issued a letter of demand on behalf of Najib to Dr Ling and it was sent to the latter's private residence in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.

He said his legal firm was awaiting an acknowledgment today.

"We have given him seven days to apologise and retract," he said, adding that legal action would be instituted if there was no response.

On Saturday, news portal Malaysiakini quoted Dr Ling as saying said that he agreed with his former boss Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad that Najib had “taken the people's money and put it in his own personal accounts”.

"I agree with (Dr) Mahathir. Because he (Najib) has taken people's money and put it in his own personal accounts," Dr Ling was quoted as saying at a press conference in Kuala Lumpur.

Dr Ling, a former transport minister between 1986 and 2001, had given a speech at the Tunku Abdul Rahman University College when he was asked whether he agreed with Dr Mahathir’s calls for Najib’s resignation.

Najib has been implicated in corruption investigations into 1MDB after US-based The Wall Street Journal reported in July some US$700 million (RM2.6 billion) was transferred into his personal bank accounts two months before the 2013 general election.

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission announced that the money was a donation from a Middle Eastern individual.

The prime minister has also denied using public money, including from 1MDB, for personal benefit, though questions surround the source and purpose of the funds.

Dr Mahathir demanded Najib step down from office, while sacked Umno leader Datuk Seri Khairuddin Abu Hassan lodged reports in Hong Kong, Switzerland and the United Kingdom for alleged money laundering.

- TMI