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KUALA LUMPUR – Incoming PKR deputy president Rafizi Ramli said he has received a writ of summons from former Sapura Energy Bhd (SEB) chief executive and managing director Tan Sri Shahril Shamsuddin.
In a post on his official website, Rafizi said he received the letter from Shahril’s lawyers from Zul Rafique & Partners while he was attending an event in Kuantan on May 11.
He added that the legal letter is in relation to his responses to former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s calls for a government bailout of the ailing oil and gas company.
“I have taken the stand to defend my statements in court as the said statements are to protect the public interest.”
Rafizi had previously challenged Najib to a debate over the embattled SEB, a public-listed company with large financial backing from state-owned Perbadanan Nasional Bhd (PNB), which holds a 40% stake in the company.
Sapura Energy’s financial woes recently came under the spotlight, with the firm’s requirement for further financial aid raising questions on whether PNB, which is also in charge of funds like Amanah Saham Bumiputera, would have to pump in further funds.
In early April, Rafizi had slammed Najib for an alleged RM983 million payout for top Sapura executives between 2009 and 2018, while the latter was prime minister.
Following weeks of taunts and online verbal disputes, Rafizi challenged Najib to a debate on the matter. However, the debate ended up being a match between Najib and opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
In his latest post, Rafizi said he has faced 14 court cases related to defending public funds since 2010, including those involving the National Feedlot Corporation, 1Malaysia Development Bhd, Majlis Amanah Rakyat, and more.
“So far, I have won all the suits brought to me in court. During court proceedings, the people can evaluate for themselves on the finer details of the background of each financial scandal.”
He added that he will be represented by his long-time counsel Ranjit Singh for the Shahril suit. – The Vibes, June 1, 2022
