MalayMail-May 5, 2023
Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has filed a defamation lawsuit against Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, and is now seeking compensation totalling RM150 million as well as an apology and retraction of the alleged defamatory remarks. In the lawsuit filed in the High Court in Shah Alam on May 3, Dr Mahathir referred to alleged defamatory remarks by Anwar on March 18 at a special national congress. Dr Mhathir cited Anwar’s speech at the event titled “Kongres Nasional Khas Malaysia Madani: ‘Perlaksanaan Sebuah Idealisme” at Stadium Melawati, Shah Alam, which he said was streamed live on Anwar’s own Facebook page and PKR’s YouTube channel.According to Dr Mahathir, Anwar’s remarks were clearly referring to him as he had been prime minister twice (for 22 years and 22 months in his two terms). Dr Mahathir claimed Anwar had alleged that he purportedly discussed issues concerning Malaysians only after losing power, also listing Anwar’s other allegations as purportedly including suggestions that he was racist and encouraging racial division. Dr Mahathir claimed Anwar’s remarks suggested that he had billions in wealth and had evaded or not paid his taxes and that he had enriched his family. He however denied all of these remarks by Anwar as untrue.
In his lawsuit, Dr Mahathir is claiming for RM50 million in general damages and RM100 million in exemplary damages over Anwar’s alleged defamatory remarks, as well as a court order for Anwar to immediately retract all of his remarks. He also wants the court to order Anwar to make a written unconditional and open apology, including an undertaking not to make any statements touching on his reputation and integrity, with both the apology and undertaking to be subject to his satisfaction and agreement. Read more at: https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2023/05/05/dr-m-sues-pm-anwar-for-defamation-seeks-rm150m-compensation/67767
