Detractors with legitimate cause has been told not to be silenced by Prime Minister Najib Razak and his wife Rosmah Mansor, who are inclined to take dissidents to court.
Sharing his own experience of being sued by the couple over the 'diamond ring' jibe, PKR's Pandan MP Rafizi Ramli said it is important to educate the public so that they would not be afraid of such legal threats.
"The rakyat has never encountered a prime minister who resorts to legal action to answer criticism by the opposition.
"They should know that my defence and counter-claim against their suit has basis and a matter of public importance.
"This is important to educate the rakyat not to be afraid of legal threats, which has become the main weapon used by Najib," he said in a statement today.
Najib and Rosmah filed their suit against Rafizi and Chan Chee Kong, who is the owner of the Media Rakyat YouTube channel, claiming that Rafizi had defamed them at a forum last November by stating that fuel prices were maintained to allow Rosmah to buy more diamond rings.
Matter of public interest
Rafizi is the second serving MP to be sued by Najib after DAP's Petaling Jaya Utara MP Tony Pua, who was sued in March over a speech on Najib's links with 1MDB.
Najib also threatened to sue PAS' mouthpiece Harakah over an article relating to 1MDB and Najib's stepson Riza Aziz.
"Both Najib and Rosmah are involved in matters relating to public interest. The issue brought by me relates to petrol subsidy which was a matter of public interest.
"Thus, the speech was made on an occasion of qualified privilege," Rafizi said.
Rosmah's behaviour and her lifestyle remains an issue with the people, which has led to the perception that the couple may be living beyond their means, he added.
"I urge the politicians, NGOs and the people not to be afraid of lawsuits by public office bearers, especially Najib.
"They should be criticised continuously and be held responsible for their actions.
"This suit is meant to suppress and victimise me," he said referring to the amendment defence and counter-claim dated July 8. - M'kini
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