Seberang Perai city councillor David Marshel claimed that the accusations are politically motivated and intended to hurt his chances of being renominated as a councillor under DAP. He has been serving the party as a city councillor and the party whip in the council since 2013.
David said he also suspected that there were individuals within his own party who were responsible for the accusation, and he had complained about it to the party.
However, DAP has asked for solid evidence to be provided.
David hopes that police will conduct a thorough investigation so that his name can be cleared.
“The culprits are not from the opposition parties. They are from within the party who want to tarnish my name and hurt my political career.
“Complaints have been filed with the party, which requested me to submit solid evidence to back my claim, which is with the police. I hope the police will make a thorough investigation so that my name can be cleared,” he said.
David said he would file a defamation suit against former journalist Athi Shankar, who wrote a news piece on Facebook under the Berita Malaysia Online page that mentioned him as the prime suspect in the assault case of Ramachandran.
He said he would also sue those who distributed a statutory declaration (SD) made by one Laxmanan Ramadass, who mentioned him as the prime suspect who hired the attackers.
Laxmanan, a car repossessor based in Lunas, Kedah, who wrote the SD on Oct 7, has disappeared, and police are searching for him, according to David.
David said he made two police reports – on Oct 9 when he was informed of the SD and today when he learnt of the news article written by Athi.
David said he is currently concerned over his safety as well as that of his family as he suspects that several individuals who are involved with local drug trafficking and money laundering syndicates are also part of the defamation.
“I am worried that what happened to Mr Ramachandran will happen to me as well.
“I will write to the Penang police chief to request protection for me and my family,” said David.
Ramachandran, 70, was slashed outside his house in Alma, Bukit Mertajam, on July 23 by four individuals.
The motive for the attack has not been established and police have arrested several suspects involved in the case.