Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has given Kuala Terengganu MP Ahmad Amzad Hashim five days to make an unqualified apology over the latter’s allegedly defamatory and slanderous statements regarding the former’s time as Selangor’s economic adviser.
Anwar has also given a five-day ultimatum for Amzad to retract an allegedly defamatory TikTok upload, in which the statements were made - as well as to issue a written undertaking not to repeat the allegations made.
Anwar sought these, among others, in a letter of demand to Amzad (above) prepared by law firm SN Nair and Partners.
The Tambun MP’s letter of demand was over Amzad’s statement made in a TikTok video, posted on Dec 7 by Tiktok user @nelly3868.
In the video, Amzad allegedly implied that while it may be true Anwar was paid a symbolic RM1 per annum during his time as Selangor’s economic adviser, the latter had RM15 million in claims.
Amzad also commented on the royal pardon granted to Anwar in 2018 over his three convictions - one for abuse of power and two for sodomy – that was granted on the basis there was a “miscarriage of justice”.
The allegation that Anwar received RM15 million for serving as Selangor’s economic adviser was previously made by Perikatan Nasional (PN) chairperson Muhyiddin Yassin during the PN Grand Finale Ceramah on Dec 5, in the run-up to the Padang Serai election.
The Selangor Menteri Besar’s office then refuted claims of Anwar receiving RM15 million to serve as the state’s economic adviser, adding that Anwar was only paid a symbolic RM1 per month during the advisory stint.
In today’s letter of demand sighted by Malaysiakini, Anwar, who is the Pakatan Harapan chairperson, claimed the TikTok video uploaded was made in bad faith to defame him.
He further claimed that Amzad ridiculed the royal pardon that was granted to him in 2018 and that the former had insulted the Malay rulers as well as challenged the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s decision to clear Anwar’s criminal record.
Apologise or court action commences
According to the legal letter, Anwar also seeks “substantive and consequential” damages from the Kuala Terengganu MP over the aggravated injury allegedly faced by the former’s reputation.
He also seeks for Amzad, who is a former deputy minister of science, technology, and innovation to pay all his legal fees that result from this case.
A five-day ultimatum to fulfil the demands was given to Amzad, to be calculated from the day of receipt of the letter of demand.
Anwar added that in the event that Amzad fails to fulfil the demands within the period stipulated, then the former would direct his lawyers to initiate legal action in court. - Mkini
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