Most Read
Most Commented
mk-logo
News
'Whether or not Najib helped in last GE, it doesn’t justify you defaming me'
Published:  Jul 1, 2016 5:41 PM
Updated: 10:19 AM

Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak’s press secretary Tengku Sarifuddin Tengku Ahmad reminded former Kedah menteri besar Mukhriz Mahathir how Najib had provided assistance to him in the last general election.

But responding to Tengku Sarifuddin’s defence against his defamation suit, Mukhriz instead said it did not matter whether Najib had assisted him or otherwise three years ago.

“Whether Najib assisted the plaintiff (Mukhriz) during the last general election and/or had helped him in his political career (which was denied), is not related and definitely does not justify the defendant to publish defamatory statements against the plaintiff,” said Mukhriz, as seen through a copy of his reply to Tengku Sarifuddin’s defence.

Tengku Sarifuddin had, in his defence, said that Mukhriz should have respected and defended the prime minister as it was Najib who had helped Mukhriz in his political career.

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

Mukhriz had filed the defamation suit in May in relation to four media statements issued by Tengku Sarifuddin between April 15 and 26.

The former menteri besar alleged that Tengku Sarifuddin painted a picture that Mukhriz was crazy for power and would do anything to achieve his ambition to become prime minister, including cheating which is against the democratic process.

In his defence, the prime minister’s press aide also said the media statements he had issued were because there were numerous allegations made about Najib and Mukhriz was among those who had criticised Najib, calling for the premier’s resignation.

Mukhriz, in his reply, instead pointed out how members of the society had the right to criticise Najib’s administration in order to question the actions of a person who is holding public office, especially if it is related to issues concerning large amount of funds going into personal bank accounts.

“And although the government has the right to answer or to give explanations to comments made by the people, this does not justify anyone, including the defendant to provide such clarifications by making defamatory statements against others.

“Also, if there were defamatory criticisms made against Najib in his personal capacity, Najib has the right to take legal action against anyone who had supposedly defamed him.

“Therefore, this does not justify the defendant, whether in his personal capacity or as Najib’s press secretary, to defame others, including the plaintiff.”

On Tengku Sarifuddin who had cited qualified privilege and fair comment in his defence, Mukhriz said he will reserve his right to testify in court when the case goes for full trial on laws in relation to this, including principles outlined by the Reynold’s privilege defence.

“The defendant’s position as the prime minister’s press secretary does not make him a media practitioner who has the right to qualified privilege.

“In any kind of situation, it does not justify the defendant – in fulfilling his responsibility as the prime minister’s press secretary - to publish defamatory statements against the plaintiff.”

ADS