My lawyers will handle it, Muhyiddin says on Anwar's defamation suit

Perikatan Nasional chairperson Muhyiddin Yassin will leave the defamation suit filed against him by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim in his lawyers’ hands.

Muhyiddin, in a brief statement today, acknowledged that he had received the writ of the suit from Anwar’s solicitors.

“Since Anwar has chosen to take this matter to court, therefore, I have left it to my lawyer to handle this case in accordance with the law,” he said.

Yesterday, Anwar filed a defamation suit against his predecessor over an allegation the former received RM15 million for serving as Selangor’s economic adviser.

Previously on Dec 7, Anwar issued a letter of demand that gave the Pagoh MP three days to make an unqualified apology over the allegation as well as retract the claim carried in an alleged TikTok upload and issue a written undertaking not to repeat the claim.

According to a copy of the civil action’s statement of claim, Anwar alleged that a day after the legal letter was issued, Muhyiddin’s entire speech in the ceramah was further published under the latter’s Facebook account.

He rubbished the allegation as slanderous, false and disparaging against him, as well as made with malice.

Anwar, who is also Pakatan Harapan chairperson, claimed that the allegation painted him as untruthful, unethical, corrupt, and not a good Muslim, among others.

He claimed that the allegation was pre-meditated and intended to taint, harm, defame and tarnish his reputation and character as an ardent advocate for upholding the rule of law.

The premier also alleged that the Bersatu president was reluctant to apologise and retract the allegation and allegedly did not delete the claim despite denial by the premier.

“Instead, the defendant had demonstrated and indicated an intention to litigate the matter in court,” Anwar claimed.

Selangor denies claim

The Selangor government has since denied Muhyiddin’s claim that Anwar was paid RM15 million when he was Selangor's economic adviser.

State official Juwairiya Zulkifli was reported as saying by Malay Mail on Dec 7 that Anwar was only paid a “symbolic salary” of RM1 a year when he held the state post.

Through civil action, Anwar is seeking general, compensatory, aggravated and exemplary damages, and an injunction to restrain Muhyiddin from further uttering or publishing the allegation.

The Tambun MP is seeking five percent interest on the judgment sum from the date of the action accrued until the date of full settlement.

He also seeks costs and any other relief deemed fit by the court. - Mkini