Najib to sue ex-AG Thomas, publisher over Altantuya remarks in book

Former prime minister Najib Razak will file a legal action against former attorney-general Tommy Thomas over an allegedly defamatory statement in his recently published book, “My Story: Justice in the Wilderness”, which implicates him in the murder of Mongolian citizen Altantuya Shaariibuu.

The matter was confirmed by Najib’s counsel Muhammad Shafee Abdullah when contacted by Bernama.

“Yes, we are suing him. Yesterday, Thomas replied to our letter of demand (LOD)… he said that he did not defame our client.

“The publisher, namely GB Gerakbudaya Enterprise Sdn Bhd, has not replied to our LOD. We are going to file a defamation suit against both Thomas and the publisher as soon as possible,” said Shafee.

Najib, in the LOD sent through his solicitor Messrs Shafee & Co on Feb 2, demanded an apology and RM10 million in damages from Thomas over allegations against him in the book.

In the letter, Najib also gave Thomas until noon yesterday to provide a satisfactory reply, failing which legal proceedings would be initiated against him.

He also demanded an apology and an unequivocal public retraction of the alleged defamatory statement in chapter 42 of the book under the title “Altantuya”.

He said that by clear inference and innuendo, Thomas had conveyed the message that he, as the attorney-general and public prosecutor at the time, was satisfied with the truthfulness of the allegations by two convicted persons that Najib was involved in directing them to murder Altantuya.

The statement was clearly motivated by mala fide and principally done in Thomas’ selfish pursuit of seeking cheap publicity, fuelled by his ego, sensationalism and profiteering, he said.