PRIME Minister Anwar Ibrahim is suing Pendang MP Awang Solahuddin Hashim for making defamatory remarks against him at the parliament lobby last week.

Anwar, 75, filed the suit through Messrs S.N. Nair & Partners at the Kuala Lumpur High Court around noon today and named Awang Solahuddin the sole defendant.

Anwar claimed Awang Solahuddin uttered defamatory remarks against him at a press conference at the parliament lobby on February 21.

He said the remarks, which were recorded in audio and video formats, were published.

“On February 21, 2023, the defamatory remarks from the audio and video footage were published or caused to be published by the defendant on TikTok using the account @asriasri64chanel.

“The TikTok video was viewed more than 21,700 times, and received 348 comments, over 180 likes, over 22 favourites, and 55 shares as of the date of this suit,” he said in his statement of claim.

Anwar said the MalaysiaKini news portal had on the same day republished part of the defamatory remarks in two of its articles in Malay and English, titled “MP PAS: Sikap pendendam Anwar lebih teruk daripada Mahathir” and “Why no LCS charges, MP asks ‘more vindictive than Mahathir’ PM”.

Anwar said the articles implied he is vindictive and revengeful and had abused his power as prime minister and finance minister by interfering, disrupting and arbitrarily instructing law enforcers and prosecutors in Malaysia to further his own political agenda. 

He claimed Awang Solahuddin had deliberately and maliciously uttered and published the defamatory remarks to incite hatred against the prime minister.

“The remarks have tarnished my reputation as a respectable leader in Malaysia and the world. The publication and republication of the defamatory remarks were the main objective of the defendant to get cheap publicity for his personal and political interests,” he said.

Anwar is seeking general, aggravated and exemplary damages and compensation as well as an injunction order to prevent the defendant or his agent from republishing the allegedly defamatory remarks. – Bernama, March 3, 2023.