PM Najib Takes First Step In Legal Action Against WSJ

KUALA LUMPUR, July 8 (Bernama) -- Najib Razak has taken the first step towards legal action against The Wall Street Journal for its articles alleging that the Malaysian Prime Minister misappropriated nearly US$700 million from 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB). On his behalf, Messrs Hafarizam Wan & Aisha Mubarak sent a letter Wednesday to Dow Jones, the publisher of WSJ, seeking confirmation of its position on the allegations in the articles which appeared on July 2 and 6. They said the articles contained "a plethora of convoluted, scumlous and vague allegations against our client". "In the circumstances, we are instructed by our client to seek confirmation as to whether it is your position as taken in the articles that our client misappropriated nearly US$700 million from 1Malaysia Development Berhad". The lawyers said the articles "collectively suggest that you are unsure of 'the original source of the money and what happened to the money' while, on the other hand, the general gist of the articles creates a clear impression that our client has misappropriated about US$700 million belonging to 1MDB". "In the circumstance and in the interest of our client, we would expect a newspaper of your international standing and reputation to state unequivocally and with clarity as to whether it is your contention that our client misappropriated about US$700 million belonging to 1MDB," they said in the letter sent via email. "You will no doubt appreciate the seriousness of the allegations made against our client in the said articles and this confirmation is sought to enable us to advise our client on the appropriate legal recourse he can take to seek redress in relation to the publication of the articles." The lawyers demanded a reply to the letter within 14 days from today (Wednesday). They also asked to be informed whether WSJ had appointed solicitors in Malaysia to accept service of legal proceedings on its behalf and the reporters who wrote the articles "in the event that legal proceedings become necessary". --BERNAMA