Selangor Menteri Besar Abdul Khalid Ibrahim has filed two defamation suits against his predecessor and current state opposition leader Dr Mohd Khir Toyo.

The legal action follows Khir’s failure to apologise to Khalid for making separate statements to two newspapers on the latter’s purchase of a Lexus car and about the donation of 46 cows for Hari Raya Haji.

The suit was filed by lawyer Sankara Nair at the Shah Alam High court registry about noon today.

Khalid, who is Ijok assemblyperson and Bandar Tun Razak MP is claiming an unspecified amount in compensatory, aggravated and exemplary damages.

He is also seeking an injunction restraining Khir or his agents from publishing or uttering the allegedly libelous statements.

These had appeared in an article in the New Straits Times headlined ‘Lexus is my own, says Khalid’ on Jan 15. Utusan Malaysia published the other article, Lepaskan jawatan MB (Resign as MB) on Jan 23.

Khalid alleged that the two articles directly or indirectly meant that he is dishonest, a liar, an untrustworthy and unfit politician, has committed a criminal offence and has abused his position both in private life and public office.

He claimed that Khir’s actions are malicious and done in bad faith to instigate public hatred and ill will against him. It is also directed at lowering his esteem and exposing him to public ridicule as an elected representative and menteri besar.

Khalid said he had demanded an apology from Khir within seven days, but had not received one.

‘Need to clear name’

Sankara said Khalid had no choice but to file the suit as the seven-day period has elapsed.

"What is clear is that the allegations made against Khalid are not true. Khir made the statement without verifying the facts. Let the court determine the quantum of the damages. What is important is for Khalid to clear his name," said Sankara (right).

On Jan 22, Khir had claimed that he had “documentary evidence” to show that Khalid had given instructions for the 46 cows to be donated to the Bandar Tun Razak constituency, which is in Kuala Lumpur.

A day later, the Bandar Tun Razak PKR division claimed full responsibility for the decision, saying it had “applied to PKNS (Selangor Development Corporation) directly for the cattle”.

Khir also questioned why Khalid had not stopped Kumpulan Darul Ehsan Bhd from buying a luxury car, a Lexus 460, worth almost RM1 million for Khalid’s use in his capacity as chairperson of the state-owned company, after becoming menteri besar.

Khalid responded that the Lexus is his personal vehicle and that he had bought it even before being appointed to the post. However, he has been using it on state business in place of an official car.