It was revealed today by Johor DAP chief Boo Cheng Hau in a press conference in front of the billboard concerned, that a SUPP lawyer - David Siaw - had sent two strongly-worded text messages to DAP's election director.
According to one of the messages shown to Malaysiakini, the SUPP lawyer warned DAP to remove the billboard, otherwise legal action will be taken.
"Please take down the billboard that shows our three candidates with the CM. You have no authority to use the photos of our candidates. Kindly be warned that we will sue for defamation."
In another message, the text sender warned that the BN component parties may take "tit-for-tat" action if the billboard was not removed.
"You may see your DAP candidates saying things in favour of BN or perhaps worse in clandestine billboards, " it hinted darkly.
DAP, however, has refused to remove the billboard, claiming that they have not defamed anybody.
"Unless it says you don't love Pek Moh, there's no defamation," said Lim Sie Keong, the opponent for George Chan in Piasau.
Playing on slogan
The billboards are playing on the SUPP election slogan - "I love Miri" and depict the three SUPP candidates in Miri, including Andy Chia Chu Fatt (Pujut) and Lee Kim Shin, as the bodyguards for the emperor - Taib Mahmud.
Earlier, Chan had told the press conference that the billboard strategy was not a "gentlemanly" approach to campaigning.
"We have always been gentlemen, we never use this sort of method."
He added that they had sent a notice of demand through lawyer David Siaw to DAP and its two Miri candidates Fong Pau Teck and Ling Sie Kiong, concerning what they allege as defamatory material in the election leaflets distributed by the opposition party.
The leaflets alleged that the family of the deputy chief minister was involved in corruption.
Chan is demanding that their opponents retract the leaflets immediately and apologise within 24 hours.
He also requested them to make compensation in 48 hours.
Chan said this is not the first time DAP had lied and made insinuations against him.
Indeed DAP state chief Wong Ho Leng had made similar allegations and had to apologise publicly. "This time I cannot let it go, they cannot only apologise."
Compensation of RM10 million sought
He said he will request for compensation of RM10 million and it will be donated to charity.Earlier, Chan had told the press conference that the billboard strategy was not a "gentlemanly" approach to campaigning.
"We have always been gentlemen, we never use this sort of method."
He added that they had sent a notice of demand through lawyer David Siaw to DAP and its two Miri candidates Fong Pau Teck and Ling Sie Kiong, concerning what they allege as defamatory material in the election leaflets distributed by the opposition party.
The leaflets alleged that the family of the deputy chief minister was involved in corruption.
Chan is demanding that their opponents retract the leaflets immediately and apologise within 24 hours.
He also requested them to make compensation in 48 hours.
Chan said this is not the first time DAP had lied and made insinuations against him.
Indeed DAP state chief Wong Ho Leng had made similar allegations and had to apologise publicly. "This time I cannot let it go, they cannot only apologise."
Compensation of RM10 million sought
Chan also criticised the opposition party for spreading lies or making fun of opponents, just to incite hatred among the people.
"No wonder their gatherings draw fewer and fewer people now, because people are sick of them.
"We Sarawakians are not used to this. We never said Karpal Singh should never contest because he is in a wheelchair. We never say such things."
He said the people are more concerned on how to make Miri better.
"The culture here is you do this, and I will do it better. It should be like that."
He also pointed out that the opposition's strategy had backfired.
"The people have known us for 30 to 40 years, so we can't lie about ourselves. The people will will even know how many hairs you have."
However, the Piasau candidate refused to comment on SUPP's chances, adding that he is expecting the opposition to show more dirty tactics and tell more lies in last two days to win the election.
"So, I want to tell my people, you have known the three of us, we are decent people. We know how to do the things that will benefit the community."
Source: http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/161457
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