Kelantan PAS information chief Buniyamin bin Yaacob will be charged for having allegedly defamed Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad in a public speech.

A three-paragraph statement from the Attorney General Chamber's received by malaysiakini tonight said: "The police has on Sept 5, 2002, submitted the completed investigation papers on the allegation made by Kelantan information chief Buniyamin bin Yaacob to the Attorney General's Chambers.

"Having carefully studied the said investigation papers, the public prosecutor is satisfied there is sufficient evidence attributed to Buniyamin bin Yaacob which is clearly defamatory of the character of Dr Mahathir Mohamad. Instruction has been given to the police to bring Buniyamin bin Yaacob before the court for him to be charged by the Prosecution Division of the Attorney General's Chambers.

"The Attorney General's office has decided to issue this statement in view of the seriousness of the allegation by Buniyamin and the public interest which has been generated over his statement", the statement concluded.