Titiwangsa Umno and several NGOs have lodged a police report seeking a probe into the defamatory remarks made against MP Johari Abdul Ghani, who is also the Second Finance Minister.

Titiwangsa Umno Division deputy chief Affendi Zahari said the report was made at the Dang Wangi District Police headquarters today.

“Some irresponsible people have hung up buntings and banners in several places in the Titiwangsa constituency such as Kampung Baru and Keramat tarnishing the image and good name of Johari.

“The police will have to trace these people and conduct an investigation,” he said to reporters after lodging the report.

Dang Wangi police chief Shaharudin Abdullah confirmed having received the report.

Johari had described as part of politics the putting up of the banners by the unidentified people, calling for him not to be nominated to stand in the coming general election.

He said he was not surprised by such protests, adding that he was confident of the support of the voters if he was nominated to defend the seat in the 14th general election.

In GE13, Johari beat Ahmad Zamri Asa'ad Khuzaimi of PAS by a majority of 866 votes.

The Titiwangsa Umno grassroots yesterday denied that “insiders” were involved in an attempt to remove Johari.

- Bernama