PRIME Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob has filed a lawsuit against Lokman Noor Adam for defamation over statements posted on Lokman’s social media accounts.

The Umno vice president filed the suit in his personal capacity through the legal firm of Messrs Kesavan on September 8, naming Lokman, 49, as the sole defendant.

In the statement of claim, Ismail, 62, said Lokman had on August 22 made defamatory statements against him in a video, with the title “Bila Presiden Umno Panggil Tak Datang! Tapi PM Ada Masa Jumpa Mahathir – Lokman Adam (When Called by the Umno President, He Doesn’t Come! But the PM Has Time to See Mahathir – Lokman Adam)”.

He alleged the statements were malicious, defamatory and untrue in nature and had been uploaded on four social media accounts belonging to the defendant: Lokman Adam Youtube, Lokman Noor Adam Official Facebook, lokmanooradam Instagram and datoklokmanadam Tik Tok.

According to Ismail, the words meant that he had met with former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad and planned, or intended to plan, with Dr Mahathir and other opposition political parties to remain prime minister by turning his back on and betraying Umno.

Ismail said that he had never met with anyone or engaged in unprincipled measures to prevent the dissolution of Parliament for a general election, so that he could remain as prime minister.

He stated that he had never abused his power as prime minister to interfere with the legal proceedings against jailed former prime minister Najib Razak.

According to Ismail, Lokman’s statements were made with malicious intent, damaging his reputation as an Umno member, the party’s vice-president and as prime minister, as well as his political career, was affected.

Ismail, the MP for Bera, said a letter of demand dated August 25 was issued for the defendant to delete the video from his social media and issue an apology but Lokman failed to do so.

Therefore, Ismail said he is seeking general and exemplary damages, as well as interest, costs and other relief deemed fit by the court.

Ismail also filed for an injunction to compel Lokman to take down the offending videos and prevent him or his representative from making similar statements in future.

The case will be heard today before High Court Judicial Commissioner Roz Mawar Rozain. – Bernama, September 12, 2022.