Ling stands by what he says

PETALING JAYA: Former MCA president Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik (pix) is ready to be sued by prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak.
“I say to the prime minister, if you choose to sue me, I will defend myself. In all humility, I accept your challenge,” Ling said in a press statement yesterday.
Responding to Najib’s demand for an apology and threat to sue him for allegedly making defamatory remarks, Ling said: “I want to reiterate that I stand by what I said. I will not apologise.
“I look forward to seeing the prime minister take the witness stand, as no doubt he would do if he says his reputation is at stake,” Ling said.
Ling is alleged to have made defamatory remarks about Najib last week when calling for his removal as prime minister.
On Monday, Najib’s lawyers Messrs Hafarizam Wan & Aisha Mubarak had served by hand a letter on Ling, demanding that he retract his remarks, issue and unequivocal apology and pay compensation within seven days, failing which legal action would be instituted against him.
Najib claims the remarks made by Ling had damaged his reputation as prime minister and bring down his image in the eyes of the people.
The former MCA president expressed surprise at Najib’s decision to initiate legal action against him.
“I was extremely surprised when I received a letter from the prime minister’s lawyers accusing me of defaming him,” he said.
He also added that he was shocked when the contents of the said letter were splashed all over the media.
“Not only that, according to media reports, the prime minister himself has publicly stated that he has demanded an apology from me,” Ling said.