Penang Deputy Chief Minister II P Ramasamy has become the first Malaysian politician to be sued for defamation by controversial Muslim preacher Dr Zakir Naik.

Zakir, through law firm Messrs Akberdin & Co, filed the writ of summons at the Kuala Lumpur High Court Registry on Wednesday (Oct 16).

When contacted, his counsel Akberdin Abdul Kader confirmed that copies of the cause papers were served on Ramasamy this morning.