KUALA LUMPUR (Nov 28): Controversial preacher Dr Zakir Naik had yesterday filed suits against Human Resources Minister M Kula Segaran, Klang MP Charles Santiago and Bagan Dalam assemblyman Satees Muniandy each for defamation.

The suit was filed at the Kuala Lumpur High Court by the firm of Messrs Akberdin and Co after Letter of Demand was served on them earlier.

Santiago was served the suit yesterday while Kula and Satees are expected to received them today.

The 54-year-old India born preacher who has been granted permanent resident wants an injunction be imposed on Kula Segaran, who is also DAP deputy chairman from publishing or cause to upload statements on the social media in attacking the controversial preacher since 2017.

This follows the minister and Ipoh Barat MP's statement in suggesting that Zakir is a criminal, evading arrest, involved in money laundering, not an honest Muslim, benefitted rom the protection of politicians and Malaysian government and his presence here had tarnished the Malaysia's image and reputation.

He complained that Kula Segaran had been making such statements since April 17, two years ago.

Following that, he sought the minister to make a public apology to him in several major newspapers and his Facebook page, pay general, compensatory, aggravated and exemplary damages and costs to be assessed by the court.

Similarly, with Santiago who is also the Water Commission chairman, and Satees where he sought similar relief from the courts.

Zakir complained that the Klang MP made comments which he claimed were defamatory on him after he had given a religious talk in Kelantan that painted a picture that he is dishonest, had calculatedly create a gap in multi-ethnic and multi-religious society in Malaysia, that he took advantage of the current polemic related to race and religion for his own survival.

The preacher also claimed the statements made by Santiago suggests that he does not deserve PR status, questioned the loyalty of the Hindu community, and being used for political purposes.

His complaint on Satees is that his statement in reaction to the preacher's Kelantan talk had painted a picture that he enjoyed immunity and privilege for staying in Malaysia, splitting the Malaysian community, he is a criminal and committed offences under the Penal Code and Sedition Act 1948 and that he had persuaded the Malaysian authorities through back door dealings so that stern action can be taken against supporters of Liberation Tigers of Tamil Elam (LTTE).

Zakir further claimed that Satees's statements alleged him to be a mastermind leading to the arrest of the 12 individuals suspected to be involved in LTTE related activities under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012, and that he had been used for certain political purposes.

Lawyer Akberdin Abdul Kader told theedgemarkets.com that the court had fixed December 11 for Santiago and Dec 27 for Kula Segaran and Satees.

The preacher had previously filed a suit against Penang deputy chief minister II Dr P Ramasamy.