Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak’s press aide has denied stating Mukhriz Mahathir had conspired with his father Dr Mahathir Mohamad and former deputy prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin to topple a legal government.

In his defence to Mukhriz’s defamation suit filed last month, Tengku Sariffuddin Tengku Ahmad said the former Kedah menteri besar should prove he had issued those words within the ordinary meaning or via innuendo or inference.

“There is nothing in the media statements issued that say this is within the ordinary meaning or by innuendo or inference that Mukhriz conspired with Mahathir and Muhyiddin as claimed,” he said.

In the 28-page defence filed by the firm Jahaberdeen & Co on Monday, Tengku Sariffuddin further said the media statements were issued because there were numerous allegations made and spread about Najib.

The allegations, he added, were politically motivated, done with malice and mala fide to bring down the lawfully elected prime minister.

Tengku Sariffudin said Mukhriz was among those who criticised Najib through his statements calling for the premier's resignation.

“As someone who was appointed by Najib as menteri besar, Mukhriz should have respected, defended and protected the prime minister who is also the Umno president. It was Najib who helped him (Mukhriz) in his political career,” he said.

“On March 4, 2013, Najib provided assistance to the plaintiff in the general election which he won and promised him (Mukhriz) the MB (post), and Najib kept his promise,” he added.

Tengku Sariffuddin also elaborated on his role as the press secretary to the prime minister.

He said this included devising communication policies of the Prime Minister's Department and therefore being responsible for outlaying the prime minister’s vision and mission.