Former Negri Sembilan Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) chief activist Mohd Anas Sudin has filed his defamation suit against Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin.

Anas' lawyer Hazwan Mohd Nor told reporters after filing the suit with the High Court in Kuala Lumpur today that Muhyiddin's claim (that Anas was a PKR member) had affected his client adversely.

Hazwan also confirmed that Anas was claiming RM10 million in damages.

Speaking to reporters later, Anas insisted that he was never a PKR member and was instead a leader in Umno and in Perkasa, prior to joining Bersatu in September last year.

"This slander has affected me and the society. There were those who accused me of being a 'lalang' and 'tupai' (unprincipled person).

"I am very disappointed because I was with Umno for 30 years and I sacrificed this when I joined Bersatu. I don't have anything to do with PKR, so how could he accuse me of being a PKR member?"

Asked whether there was a mastermind behind his suit, Anas stressed that this was not the case as the suit was about his "dignity".

"My wife is a specialist. (Actually) two of my wives are doctors. My family is known in Negeri Sembilan (so) when I was insulted, we felt under pressure.

"My wife who is a specialist is the president of the Negeri Sembilan Medical Council, so when her husband was insulted by a well-known political leader, people would be wary to conduct businesses, with both her and with me," Anas said.

He argued that people would believe Muhyiddin more, as he was a former deputy prime minister.

"So I am taking Muhyiddin to court to prove what's the truth," he said.

In April, Anas called on Muhyiddin to issue a public apology or face legal action for accusing him of being a PKR member.

He was quoted by the New Straits Times as saying that Muhyiddin had made the accusation outside the Parliament lobby on April 6, a day after Anas held a press conference to announce that he was quitting Bersatu.

Anas also stressed that he would not be returning to Umno following his decision to quit Bersatu.

"When I left Umno, I made a decision that I will never return to Umno," he said.

Explaining further the reason behind him and 500 others from the Rembau Bersatu division in leaving the party, Anas said they were not given positions despite most of them having set up the division.

"The current division chief was still an Umno member when we formed the party.

"From what I see, the division founders, such as (former Bersatu member) Kamarul Azman Habibur Rahman and Anina (Saadudin) have been sidelined," he said.

Speaking further on Muhyiddin, Anas is of the opinion that the former deputy prime minister is not fit to be the party president.

"And now we are confused. Previously there was talk that he wanted to become prime minister, but now (Bersatu chairperson) Dr Mahathir (Mohamad) wants (to be prime minister). So which is which?"

Claiming that Muhyiddin's leadership was "too weak", Anas said Muhyiddin only depended on Mahathir when it came to spreading his influence.

"When he came for a programme in Negri Sembilan after I left Bersatu, not even 100 people attended."

Urging Bersatu members to leave the party, Anas advised them to either be party-less or to join another party.

"This party (Bersatu) is a party for disappointed people, including Muhyiddin, who could not become the prime minister," he added.