GEORGE TOWN: Kepala Batas member of parliament (MP) Dr Siti Mastura Muhammad has defended her allegations of ties between several DAP leaders and the late Communist Party of Malaya leader Chin Peng.
In her statement of defence filed at the Penang High Court here yesterday, Siti Mastura argued that the allegations, made at a 'ceramah' during the campaign period for the Kemaman by-election last November, was based on truth and facts.
She said the claim on familial ties between DAP stalwart Tan Sri Lim Kit Siang, the late Singapore prime minister Lee Kuan Yew and Communist Party of Malaya leader Chin Peng, was based on facts obtained from the book "Bahan Kempen, Komunikasi Barisan Nasional" (Campaign Material, Barisan Nasional Communications).
She said she had every reason to believe that the contents in the book were authentic.
"The impartial review of the plaintiff's family relationship with the late Lee and Chin Peng is based on the study facts from the BNCOMMS campaign material book, which the defendant has reasonable grounds to believe to be authentic.
"Fair comments about the political ideology and thoughts brought by the plaintiff are true based on the history and views of the plaintiff over the years," she said.
The Penang High Court had on Dec 19 last year ordered Siti Mastura to file her defence statement on or before Jan 11, this year, in the lawsuit brought against her by three DAP leaders.
The suit was filed separately by Kit Siang, his son DAP chairman Lim Guan Eng, and Seputeh MP Teresa Kok Suh Sim as plaintiffs.
The suit was filed on Nov 27 last year concerning a speech by Siti Mastura at a ceramah earlier the same month.
Guan Eng was the first to initiate legal proceedings against Siti Mastura, followed by Kok and later Kit Siang.
In her statement of defence, Siti Mastura also claimed that her statements were made in a closed-door meeting in Terengganu on Nov 4 that was only attended by Pas members involved in the Kemaman by-election campaign machinery, and not publicly.
"The statements were made in a closed-door meeting with any live broadcast or recording.
"The defendant is not responsible for any publication made based on her statements without any instruction or approval," she added.
Citing qualified privilege, Siti Mastura said she never had any ill-intent against the plaintiffs besides criticising based on one's ideology and political standing.
She maintained that the context of her speech was to campaign for Pas to gain power and enhance Islam as well as to counter claims that Pas was an extremist party.
When contacted, the lawyer for the plaintiffs, Datuk Sankara Nair, said all suits were filed separately.
"However, it is now consolidated in one High Court in Penang.
"The next case management date is Feb 9," he said.
Mohamad Hakim Faharmi Hassan appears for Siti Mastura.