Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has commenced a defamation suit against Perak PAS chief Razman Zakaria over allegations of the former having an LGBT agenda.
The Pakatan Harapan chief, who is suing in his personal capacity, filed the writ of summons through law firm SN Nair at the Taiping High Court through e-filing tonight.
On Nov 9, it was reported that the PKR president issued a letter of demand to the PAS leader seeking RM5 million in damages and a public apology over claims of the former having an LGBT agenda and being a DAP puppet.
The legal letter was over Razman (above) allegedly making the claims during a walkabout at the Tebuk Pancur night market in Perak three days earlier (Nov 6).
According to the civil action’s cause papers, plaintiff Anwar claimed the speech was broadcasted live through defendant Razman’s Facebook account which purportedly garnered over 94,4000 views, 5,100 reactions, 429 shares, and more than 2,600 comments as of today.
The Tambun MP dismissed the allegation as false and contended that he has a reputable national and global image, as well as always being an “ardent advocate of Islamic teachings and core values”.
“The plaintiff has always denounced all allegations in respect of the LGBT agenda and has been fighting for the larger reform agenda for the governance of the nation.
“The said impugned publications by the defendant are detrimental to the image and good reputation of the plaintiff as PKR president, Harapan chairperson, Tambun MP, and currently Malaysia’s 10th prime minister.
“The allegations by the defendant in the impugned publications are baseless and contain falsehoods that incorrectly portray the plaintiff as a person with LGBT or woke agendas.
“The plaintiff has never advocated same-sex marriage,” Anwar contended.
The plaintiff claimed that the allegations were published without the defendant seeking prior confirmation of their truthfulness and validity.
‘Plaintiff suffered anxiety, shame’
Anwar claimed the allegation has irreparably damaged his reputation and character as well as severely tarnished his social worthiness.
He also claimed he has been exposed to severe public scandal, hatred, odium, condemnation, humiliation, and opprobrium.
“The plaintiff has suffered severe mental distress, anxiety, and shame as a result,” Anwar alleged.
The plaintiff alleged that Razman willfully ignored the former’s letter of demand for a retraction, apology, and undertaking not to repeat the purported defamatory words, and pay damages.
Through the civil suit, Anwar is seeking general, compensatory, aggravated, and exemplary damages, and an injunction to prevent Razman from further uttering, writing, or publishing the purported defamatory words.
The plaintiff seeks five percent interest on the compensation awarded from the date of judgment to the date of full settlement, costs on a solicitor and client basis, and any other relief deemed fit by the court.
Malaysiakini is attempting to reach out to Razman over the matter. - Mkini
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