KUALA LUMPUR: Berjaya Land Bhd will lodge a police report and pursue legal measures over an election campaign speech made by Kedah caretaker menteri besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor on the Selangor Maritime Gateway project (SMG project).
In a statement, Berjaya Land said the claims made by Sanusi was "untrue, unwarranted and malicious".
It also believed that the speech was politically motivated, slanderous and designed to put both Berjaya Land and the Selangor state government in bad light by implying questionable dealings by both parties in relation to the SMG project.
"These accusations, which we categorically deem as slanderous, false, malicious and completely without merit, have been made by Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor, the Kedah (caretaker) Menteri Besar.
"It is with utmost seriousness that we address these accusations to clear the good name and reputation of Berjaya Land," said Berjaya Land group chief executive officer Syed Ali Shahul Hameed.
"We feel it is imperative to set the record straight by offering precise and verified information. Our objective is to correct any inaccurate and misleading statements and to ensure that the truth is acknowledged through a point-by-point response," he added.
Berjaya Land noted that Sanusi had claimed Selangor Incorporated sold a 55 per cent stake in its wholly-owned unit to Berjaya Land and its related companies, which the group rebutted.
It also said Berjaya Land and/or its related companies had never obtained or was never given or awarded any land of 242.8 hectares valued at RM10 billion.
"In conclusion, the spurious allegations made by Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi are clearly entirely baseless and without any verification as to its veracity.
"These statements were made recklessly and maliciously and are evidently intended to tarnish Berjaya Land's reputation and undermine our commitment as well as that of the State Government to the betterment of Selangor State and its people.
"I would also add that we are taking immediate action by lodging a police report and pursuing legal measures to protect our rights in this matter," Syed Ali said.