The press aide to Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak told the Kuala Lumpur High Court that his research and observation as well as feedback gathered showed that it was pertinent for the Prime Minister's Office media team to respond to Dr Mahathir Mohamad's allegations.
To a question from his lawyer Jahaberdeen Mohd Yunos, Tengku Sariffuddin Tengku Ahmad said this was the reason the disputed press statements were issued.
"From research done by the research team in the media division of the PMO, including feedback as well as (based on) my observation, we decided that it is a must to respond to Mahathir's political attacks to explain the actual situation (in 2016).
"We found there was a general political perception that Mahathir has the ambition or intention to assist his son (Mukhriz Mahathir) to be PM, especially with his (Mukhriz's) post as deputy president in his new party (Bersatu)," he added.
Tengku Sariffuddin said Mahathir made numerous allegations for his own political purpose, including to tarnish the reputation of Umno, its president (Najib) and members.
"For me, this was the political move chosen by Mahathir to increase support for the party (Bersatu) which he has formed...," he added.
Tengku Sariffuddin was testifying in Mukhriz's suit against him based on press statements issued between April 15 and 26.
Mukhriz held that the statements alleged he was conspiringwith his father and former deputy prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin to topple a lawfully elected government.
He also alleged that the statements suggested he would be given the prime minister's post once Muhyiddin steps down after replacing Najib as prime minister.
Mukhriz alleged that Tengku Sariffuddin insinuated that the former was "power crazy" and would do anything to achieve become prime minister, including cheating, which is against the democratic process.
'Words in statements not defamatory'
Tengku Sariffuddin, who has been Najib's press secretary since 1997, told the court that at the time (2016), Mahathir and other opposition leaders did not name their choice for the prime minister's post.
He said this is the reason the press statements dating April 15, 20, 23 and 26 were issued.
Tengku Sariffuddin also denied that the words in the third and fourth press statements were defamatory within the ordinary meaning via innuendo and inference.
He also said the statement was directed at Mahathir as opposed to Mukhriz.
"Although Mukhriz's name is mentioned in the fourth media statement on April 26, 2016, the media statement when read in whole and in context does not refer nor is it relevant to the plaintiff.
"The fact is the fourth press statement substantially refers to Mahathir's actions and not Mukhriz's," he said, adding that it is therefore illogical to claim that the statement is defamatory to the plaintiff.
"It is clear that the words complained by Mukhriz in the fourth statement is a matter of perception following Mahathir's actions and not the plaintiff's (Mukhriz)," he told the court.
Tengku Sariffuddin said he issued the media statements in his official and public capacity as the press secretary to the prime minister in response to the present political situation.
He said as a public officer holding the post of press secretary to the prime minister, he has the responsibility to clarify, explain and issue statements.
"If needed, I am responsible to know, observe and react to issue statements or feedback on the present political situation in Malaysia," he added.
Tengku Sariffuddin said at the time (in 2016) there were numerous negative allegations or comments which were malicious.
"All of them had the political motive, malice and mala fide with the intention of bringing down the prime minister who is democratically elected.
"As a senior media officer, I am responsible to correct the misinformation which is politically motivated so that the people understand and know the actual situation," he added. -Mkini
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