PROMINENT lawyer Ambiga Sreenevasan today hit out at those harassing her to “come clean” over her role as an informant on the alleged transfer of RM90 million to the PAS leadership from Najib Razak, saying they could be held for contempt.

The former Bar Council president pointed out that PAS’ suit against Sarawak Report editor Clare Rewcastle-Brown was filed in the UK, and as such, there were no grounds for those seeking to conduct a mini-trial, or “persecution”, against her in Malaysia.

“It is, therefore, in the UK court that any requests, or demands, for documents or information must be made,” Ambiga said in a statement. 

The case in question is a suit filed by PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang against Rewcastle-Brown in April over allegations the Islamist’s party took money from Najib.

The allegations were first made in a Sarawak Report article dated August 6, 2016 report entitled “As Najib denies all over 1MDB let’s not forget his many other criminal connections”.

Abdul Hadi is suing for an appropriate sum for damages and an injunction to stop Sarawak Report from posting more on the subject.

On Tuesday, Rewcastle-Brown named Ambiga as the source of information for the claim top leaders in PAS had received money from Najib.

According to her Defence and Counterclaim statement that was provided to The Malaysian Insight, Rewcastle-Brown said she spoke to the former Bersih chairman in July last year about Najib, 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) and PAS.

“Ambiga had told the defendant her sources, whom she said were reliable, had estimated the amount that had been paid was around RM90 million,” said Rewcastle-Brown in her court filing dated October 11.

Rewcastle-Brown’s disclosure Ambiga was her source has led to PAS leaders demanding an explanation and apology from Ambiga, who is president of the National Human Rights Society.

In her statement today, Ambiga said she has faced a barrage of attacks from Cabinet ministers, party members and others aligned to the claimant.

“The government media gave me a three page coverage yesterday (including the front page!), where demands for me to “come clean” were made,” she said.

“I was even on the TV3 news. Bloggers identified with the ruling party have made sexist, racist and highly defamatory remarks about Rewcastle Brown and myself.  The social media has been used to attack my reputation and character.”

She said three men, claiming to be members of the press had come to her house and filmed its exterior. Reporters from pro-Umno news outlets Berita Harian and TV3 camped out in front of her office.

“In my view these are targeted acts of intimidation and harassment against me. They seriously undermine, and are disrespectful of, the UK proceedings and may in my view amount to contempt of the UK court.”

The claimant could be answerable to the UK court as these acts may in one way or another be seen to be connected to him, she said.

“Those who have been vociferous in condemning me and who are aggrieved in any way, ought to take those grievances to the court in the UK,” she said.

“I believe they may even intervene in those proceedings and become parties if they feel strongly enough and have a case to put forward.”

– November 2, 2017.