KOTA KINABALU, March 15 (Bernama) -- Former Consumers Association of Sabah and Labuan FT (Federal Territory of Labuan) president Datuk Patrick Sindu and 18 other plaintiffs today filed a defamation suit against two of the association's members -- Hashima Hasbullah and Nordin Thani, claiming a sum of RM19 million.

They alleged that the duo had caused defamatory articles about them to be published in the media on separate occasions last year.

The other plantiffs are James Bagah, Michael Wong Tet Ming, Sylvester Taing, Ali Ahmad, Nagaraju A/L Applasamy, Augustine Aling, Donny Yap Tai Hua, Alex Huang Tzin Tat, Alexcius Mangka, Prakash Natesan, Lee Lai Meng, Danah Matsah, Kanul Gindol, Saimon@ Jasni Musa, Claudius George, Jeam Suali, Padris Sittim and Duin Tarang.

The plaintiffs were all at the material time, the office bearers of the de-registered Sabah Consumers Association (SCA), better known as Cash.

Patrick and the plaintiffs were accompanied by lawyer Ram Singh, who represents all of them, when filing the suit at the High Court registrar's office this afternoon.

The plaintiffs also seeking an injunction to restrain both defendants, whether by themselves, their servants or agents or otherwise, from further publishing or causing to be published defamatory words on the plaintiffs or Cash.

In their statement of claim, they alleged that Hashima, who was secretary-general of Cash in 2006, and Nordin its deputy president II the same year, had on February 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th and 26th of 2009, uttered words defamatory in nature of the plaintiffs in the media.

Hashima, when met by reporters later, claimed it was good news to her and that she was 'very happy' the plaintiffs finally made the move to file the suit, which they had mentioned since last year.

"It is a great platform to share my side of the story. I have been denied my rights to explain myself before this, and now the right time has come to do so in court, she said, adding that she would be filing a counter claim once she got the notice.