The Zaykabar company, which has been locked in  a legal dispute with farmers in Rangoon division over a land confiscation dispute, has slammed a defamation lawsuit against a political party’s chairman who has been providing the affected group with legal aid.

Nay Myo Wei, chairman of the Peace and Diversity Party, accused Zaykabar, which is owned by business tycoon and parliamentarian Khin Swe, of tricking the farmers from Mingaladon township into forfeiting their tenant status on a 815-acre plot of land.

Myint Zaw, general manager of Zaykabar, said he had filed the lawsuit against Nay Myo Wei for partaking in actions that could harm the company’s reputation.

“In the Voice Weekly [news journal] issue [in February], U Nay Myo Wei of the Peace and Diversity Party declared that he would file a lawsuit against the Zaykabar Company for abusing government power,” said Myint Zaw.

“Also he posted [podcasts] accusing the Zaykabar of abusing government power.”

He said a suit has been filed in cooperation with Mingaladon township’s police department.

Police officers in Mingaladon summoned Nay Myo Wei yesterday morning to answer questions regarding the case.

“I take responsibility for what I said in the journal – I made these claims citing the legal process and did not intend to defame them,” said Nay Myo Wei.

“The police are also inquiring whether the company had acquired La Na 39 before hand and other legal permission to develop an industrial zone on the land.”