Lawyer: Kazim also sent legal letter to Wardina, Syed Azmi over sexual abuse claim
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On August 26, Kazim Elias (pic) had lodged a police report in Ipoh claiming the Wardina and Syed Azmi’s claim was 'slanderous' and 'tarnished his reputation as a religious preacher'. — Picture via of Facebook/Kazim EliasMore
KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 23 — Celebrity preacher Datuk Mohammad Kazim Elias has also sent letters of demand to former actress Wardina Safiyyah and social activist Syed Azmi Alhabshi for linking his tahfiz school in Ipoh, Perak and himself to allegations of sexual abuse against the students, his lawyer confirmed.
However, law firm Khairul, Suhaila and Hazlina could not disclose the terms of demand made against the two, whom Kazim claimed had made the allegations viral on their Facebook pages.
“Letter of demand sent to all individuals mentioned differ from each other. They have different effect and terms,” the firm’s partner Mohd Firdaus Mohamood told Malay Mail Online over text message, when asked about Kazim’s demands from the duo.
“In general, it’s because they made [the allegations] viral without any investigations on sources and facts.”
On Monday, Malay Mail Online reported that Kazim demanded a mother apologise for the allegations or pay RM8 million in damages for the alleged libel, which the firm said had intended to “affect the reputation and also the client’s reputable track record” including his religious reputation.
According to the letter of demand sighted by Malay Mail Online, Kazim claimed a Facebook post made by the woman referring to “a maahad up north and led by a famous ustaz” had hinted at him and his religious school even when the two were not explicitly named.
The woman was given seven days from the date of receipt to comply.
Malay Mail Online could not yet verify whether both Wardina and Syed Azmi have received their letters, with the former no longer residing in Malaysia but in Brisbane, Australia.
On August 26, Kazim had lodged a police report in Ipoh claiming the Wardina and Syed Azmi’s claim was “slanderous” and “tarnished his reputation as a religious preacher”.
The duo have since maintained that they have never named the school in question and instead it was revealed by the police themselves and subsequent media reports.
On August 27, Perak police confirmed it had wrapped up its investigation on Kazim’s school after taking statements from 10 individuals including students, the alleged victim, and the school.
Kazim has previously denied the sexual abuse allegations, and vowed to turn over the culprit if he is proven guilty, even if it was a member of his own family.
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