FORMER Bersatu founding member, Anina Saadudin has defended her decision to file a defamation suit against six members of the party, insisting that the move is necessary following allegation that she received RM7 million to return to Umno.

She said the lawsuit was the last resort after lodging several reports to the party’s disciplinary board, police, Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), and Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC).

“The allegation started during Ramadan last year, in June 2016. I’m a Muslim so I wanted to concentrate on Ramadhan.

“Then I wanted to respect the month of Syawal and gave ample time for them to apologise,” she told The Malaysian Insight, when asked why she decided to take action now.

Anina, who filed the suit yesterday at Shah Alam Sessions Court, however did not want to name the six individuals as the writ may not have reached them.

She said four out of the six individuals were Langkawi Bersatu leaders, refusing to confirm whether Bersatu Youth chief Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman was among the six.

“If your colleague accuses you of taking a bribe, what will you do? I just want to defend myself and clear my name,” she said, adding that the allegation started on Facebook

Earlier today, Anina held a press conference regarding the matter at her house in Bangi. At the press conference, she also slammed Syed Saddiq for naming her as among those who received such offers to leave the party.

On September 16, Ainina announced her resignation, claiming that Bersatu “no longer practised the principles of justice, transparency, and integrity in its administration. – October 13, 2017.