Zahid, Muhyiddin settle defamation suit

Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and former prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin have settled the former’s defamation suit against the latter.

In identical Facebook posts today, Zahid and Muhyiddin (above, left) said both politicians have decided to resolve the civil action, after taking into account advice from the Kuala Lumpur High Court as well as the nation’s present situation concerning the people's welfare.

Both leaders recorded their appreciation to the High Court judge and court officials involved.

“We hope that this decision can be accepted and respected by all quarters, and not be turned into something to disrupt the harmony and confidence of the people in the nation’s judicial institution.”

Filed on April 4, 2022, the defamation suit was over an allegation that Zahid had sought Muhyiddin’s help to resolve or postpone the former’s criminal case.

Action over purported intervention

The Bagan Datuk MP had sought a court order for the Pagoh MP to withdraw the allegedly defamatory statements.

The BN chairperson had sought an interim injunction for the Perikatan Nasional chairperson to delete, edit and stop the publication of part of the video footage which contained the alleged defamatory statement in news portals and social media, which included on PN’s Facebook and Astro Awani’s YouTube channel.

According to the statement of claim, Zahid, 71, alleged that during the 15th Johor election campaign trail in Mersing, at the compound of the Sentuhan Kasih Felda Tenggaroh 3 learning centre on Feb 16, 2022, Muhyiddin had made the statement with ill intent and malice against him.

On the same day, the video footage of the statement was aired on Astro Awani’s YouTube channel.

The Umno president alleged that the Bersatu president’s statement implied, among other things, that the plaintiff had used a shortcut to settle and postpone his ongoing court cases, that he had asked for the defendant’s help to intervene in the court cases and the judicial system, and to order the dissolution of the Johor legislative assembly.

Zahid claimed that the allegations were false and aimed to tarnish his good name and reputation.

He was seeking general, aggravated and exemplary damages, as well as an order for Muhyiddin to publish a public apology in newspapers, and other reliefs and costs deemed fit by the court.

Through his statement of defence filed on May 9, 2022, Muhyiddin cited the defence of justification, meaning the defendant is ready to prove in court that his statement was allegedly true. - Mkini