Umno veteran Tajuddin Abdul Rahman is ready to face Lim Guan Eng in court to defend his claim that the DAP adviser turned the finance ministry into a “Chinese temple” during his tenure as minister.
Tajuddin confirmed being notified about the suit several days ago and said he will see the Bagan MP in court.
“If he thinks he has something to claim, let’s fight in court,” the former Pasir Salak MP and ex-Umno Supreme Council member told FMT.
He also questioned the timing of the suit as the remarks were alleged to have been made in 2022.
He quipped that perhaps Lim “has nothing to do” now that he was no longer a minister or a top leader in DAP.
In his defamation suit, Lim said that on Oct 18, 2022, Tajuddin took part in a forum organised by Sinar Harian which focused on the 15th general election.
He claimed that Tajuddin had accused him of sidelining the Malays during his tenure as the finance minister from 2018 to 2020, and further alleging that he had “turned the ministry into a Chinese temple”.
Lim said Tajuddin had implied that he carried out his ministerial duties recklessly and was unfit to hold public office.
He said it also gave the impression that he had abused his power by dismissing Malay civil servants from the Treasury.
The former Penang chief minister is seeking damages, a retraction of the impugned remarks, and a public apology to be published on Tajuddin’s social media accounts, as well as in the media.
