DR Mahathir Mohamad has hit back against Anwar Ibrahim with a RM150 million defamation suit after the prime minister accused him of being a racist and enriching himself.

The former prime minister claimed Anwar’s accusations, made in his capacity as a prime minister, had a far more devastating effect on him as opposed to similar statements made by ordinary citizens.

Dr Mahathir is seeking RM50 million in general damages and another RM100 million in exemplary damages.

On April 7, Anwar had said he will present evidence that Dr Mahathir enriched himself and his family while in power. This came after Dr Mahathir issued him with a letter of demand on March 27.

Anwar was initially given seven days to respond but his lawyers had asked for an extension until April 17.

The prime minister had said Dr Mahathir’s governance had its strengths, but he also had many weaknesses.

It was reported that Dr Mahathir had demanded Anwar retract the defamatory statements, which were shared on mainstream and social media. 

Dr Mahathir is also seeking an apology from the PKR president and wants him to stop making similar statements in the future, adding that this was crucial as it paints a bad public image of him ahead of the upcoming six state elections. 

The nonagenarian’s lawyer Muhammad Rafique Rashid Ali had filed the suit on Wednesday, together with a certificate of urgency, asking that it be heard and disposed of expeditiously. The case management will be held on May 31.

In the statement of claim sighted by Free Malaysia Today, Dr Mahathir said Anwar’s insinuation he had acquired assets for himself and members of his family meant he had denied the Malays their dues.

“The plaintiff’s children succeeded in business without help of the plaintiff while in power,” the statement of claim said.

Dr Mahathir also dismissed plans he was to topple the present government with a group of individuals. 

“The defendant has made his statements with malicious intent to let the public believe the plaintiff is disturbing racial harmony,” it said. – May 5, 2023.