KOTA KINABALU: Former Sabah Chief Minister, Tan Sri Harris Mohd. Salleh yesterday demanded that Sharri Isa, MPH Group Publishing House, MPH Distributors Sdn Bhd., MPH Distributors (S) Pte Ltd., and Syed Salem Albukhary undertake to publish an unreserved apology to him for making false and serious allegations of abuse of power, corruption and vengeance against him in a book entitled “Vendetta and Abuse of Power”. The terms and conditions of the apology are to be agreed by Tan Sri Harris.
In a statement released here yesterday, Harris stated that he also reserved the right to take legal action against Tan Sri Rais Yatim for launching the book in January, 2014; Dato Syed Ahmad Idid, and Syed Ali Tawfik Al-Attas for writing the Forewords; and Professor Saleh Buang for writing an Introduction. Harris said these people have associated themselves with the book in one way or another knowing fully well the implications of their involvements.
Harris said the book was written purposely, intentionally and maliciously to assassinate his character, and was printed and published by the MPH Group Publishing House on a complimentary basis to the writer and Syed Salem Albukhary. The book was also distributed by MPH Distributor Sdn. Bhd., Malaysia and MPH Distributors (S) Pte. Ltd and launched by Tan Sri Rais Yatim on January 17, 2014.
Tan Sri Harris was the Sabah Chief Minister from 1976 to 1985 during the reign of the Berjaya Government.
Harris claimed that the contents of the book are clear ventilation of hatred towards him and others, including the State authority and the Judiciary, on the acquisition of 2,453 acres of land under Zara Sdn. Bhd for public purposes.
It was claimed in the book that even up to 2013, after almost 40 years, and after nine successive state governments and 24 years of UMNO government, the issue was not solved. It is important to take note that the book was printed and published in 2013 – almost forty years after the land was acquired by the Sabah State Government for public purposes.
The land was acquired for public purposes as University Malaysia Sabah, Sabah Foundation Headquarters, the Federal Government Offices and Sabah State Legislative Assembly Building were all built on the said land.
Harris, in the statement, regretted that, notwithstanding the deliberate attempt to defame and assassinate his character and the other personalities through such false accusations and allegations, the author saw fit not to interview him. This only shows that the author, in collaboration with Syed Salem and MPH, had decided to act as judge, jury and executor without verifying the truth of the matter involved.
Hence, the former Chief Minister of Sabah said, unless the aforementioned parties involved undertake to make unreserved apology, on the terms and conditions to be agreed upon by him, and retract completely the distribution of the said book within 14 days, his lawyers would proceed will legal proceedings against them.