KUCHING: Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Jemut Masing has revealed that a letter of demand has been served to a local newspaper as well as its online counterpart for a formal apology through a press statement dated June 26, 2018.
In the press statement, Masing, who is the President of Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS), said that they have seven days to offer an apology failing which he will have no choice but to consider taking further legal action.
The press statement was issued during a press conference chaired by PRS secretary-general Datuk Joseph Salang Gandum at the party’s headquarters at Jalan Wan Alwi here on Wednesday.
“Following common sense, they have to do what is appropriate as I’m sure both sides want to resolve this amicably,” said Salang.
The press conference served as a follow-up to a previous press conference on the subject matter of a local newspaper reporting that Masing suggested to use up all the state’s reserves before the next state election.
“The ‘preview blurb’ used by the newspaper’s online site was taken out of context and/or had misquoted my statement,” said Masing.
Masing went on to explain that the ‘preview blurb’ which read ‘Should Sarawak use up all its reserve before the next state election?’ has projected that he proposed that the state reserves be ‘use up all’ in its entirety before the next state election.
“The ‘preview blurb’ was purportedly in a reference to a news report on 19 June 2018 concerning my speech delivered at a PRS dinner on 17 June 2018.
“Please do take note that the ‘original preview blurb’ with the words ‘use up all’ was pinned to the publisher’s Facebook page to ensure maximum visibility and exposure to its Facebook visitors,” he said. Masing then elaborated that the ‘original preview blurb’ was then amended to read ‘Should Sarawak use its RM31b reserve for developments before the next state election?’.
“The publisher had deleted the two words ‘up all’ which had changed the meaning totally,” he said.
He added that the publisher acknowledged that the reason why the ‘original preview’ blurb was amended because when the news broke out and public backlash ensued, they realised that many of their commentators were interpreting the ‘preview blurb’ as a direct quote from him.
“I do not accept the publisher’s excuse that the ‘original preview blurb’ on its Facebook page was of no attribution to me.
“The publishers continued to publish reactionary news articles knowing full well that the ‘original preview blurb’ was the cause of these reactions.
“I have been advised by my lawyers that I have a good cause of action against the publishers for defamation,” he said.
The press conference was also attended by Allan Lao of David Allan Sagah & Teng Advocates.
