NFCorp boss sues ex-adviser

Former consultant taken to court over defamatory postings on Facebook

KUALA LUMPUR: National Feedlot Corp Sdn Bhd (NFCorp) executive chairman Datuk Seri Dr Mohamad Salleh Ismail is suing his former consultant Shamsubahrin Ismail over alleged defamatory postings on Facebook.

Dr Mohamad Salleh said Shamsubahrin had engaged in a systematic campaign to damage his reputation.

He said Shamsubahrin was angry because the former consultant had been convicted by the Sessions Court on May 18 for cheating him.

He was sentenced to eight years’ jail and ordered to be whipped four times for cheating Dr Mohamad Salleh and for 17 counts of money laundering totalling RM1.7mil.

He was also ordered to pay RM611,895 as penalty in default four years’ jail for the money laundering offences.

He said Shamsubahrin, who is now on bail pending appeal, had published six defamatory statements against him between May 19 and June 23.

He said the statements implied that Shamsubahrin was made a scapegoat.

Speaking to reporters here, Dr Mohamad Salleh said he was disappointed by the conduct of his former consultant for making false and slanderous postings on his Facebook page as it had affected his reputation.

“I never said anything malicious about him. I did not even lodge a police report against him for the said offences. If he did not do his job, I will file a civil suit to recover my money.

“For me, his statements are most unfair,” added Dr Mohamad Salleh.

His lawyer Al Firdaus Shahrul Naing said they filed the suit at the High Court civil registry yesterday.

Al Firdaus said the statements were untrue as Dr Mohamad Salleh was still defending his two criminal breach of trust charges in the Sessions Court and was not a “free man”.

In his statement of claim, Dr Mohamad Salleh said the offending words meant that he had abused his position and influence to get the protection of the Prime Minister, the Government and ministries, agencies and departments to ensure that he would not be prosecuted or made liable for the wrongdoings alleged against him.

Dr Mohamad Salleh said the statements implied that he was a criminal, immoral and would not hesitate to take advantage of his status, influence and power for his own personal wealth and benefit to the detriment of Shamsubahrin.

He said the words had also meant that he had conspired with his wife Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil, other top government officials and the judiciary to make Shamsubahrin a scapegoat of the alleged wrongdoings accused against him (Dr Mohamad Salleh).

He said the words also implied that he was able to corruptly instruct and influence the police, the Malaysian AntiCorruption Commission and the AttorneyGeneral to arrest and charge him for the offences in order to ensure no legal action would be taken against him.

He said Shamsubahrin had failed to verify with him before publishing the statements.

He is seeking damages for libel, malicious falsehood, aggravated and exemplary damages as well as an injunction to remove the statements and prevent further similar postings.

I never said anything malicious about him. I did not even lodge a police report against him for the said o ences. datuk Seri dr Mohamad Salleh Ismail