Dr M demands public apology from Zahid over defamatory statement on Seri Pacific Hotel land

• This follows reports earlier this month that Zahid said an individual, whom he did not name, had not signed documents to release his trustee responsibilities over a party asset.

KUALA LUMPUR (April 25): Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad (pictured) has issued a legal notice to Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, demanding a public and written apology.

This follows reports earlier this month that Zahid said an individual, whom he did not name, had not signed documents to release his trustee responsibilities over a party asset.

The party asset, the land where the Seri Pacific Hotel is located, was reportedly registered with four trustees — Mahathir, the late Tun Daim Zainuddin, the late Tan Sri Sanusi Junid and Tun Musa Hitam. One online news portal had reported that Zahid named Mahathir as the refusing trustee.

Mahathir’s lawyers from Law Practice of Rafique want Zahid to hold a press conference at Umno headquarters and the deputy prime minister's office, invite the media, and admit his statements earlier this month were defamatory.

They also demand a written and unconditional apology within seven days, coupled with a promise not to make further defamatory statements.

“Mahathir reserves his right to take legal action in relation to this matter should it be deemed appropriate and necessary, including against other parties,” a statement issued by the law firm read.

Last week, Mahathir’s lawyers had issued a similar notice to Umno Supreme Council member Datuk Dr Mohd Puad Zarkashi.

The former prime minister’s demands were over Puad’s now-deleted social media post similarly accusing Mahathir of allegedly refusing to return the Seri Pacific Hotel land to Umno.

However, Umno’s legal filing to claim the Seri Pacific Hotel land revealed the transfer was not delayed because the trustees refused but due to a name discrepancy in the application.

An application was later submitted with the trustees’ identification cards and a report on Daim’s passing to help facilitate the transfer.

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