PM issues letter demanding apology from Baling MP over Twitter audio

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has given Baling MP Hassan Saad three days to make an unqualified apology over a Twitter audio posting that purportedly contained allegations of the premier’s links with Israel.

Through a letter of demand issued today by law firm SN Nair and Partners to the Perikatan Nasional (PN) lawmaker, the Tambun MP is also seeking a retraction of the alleged defamatory posting made two days ago.

According to a copy of the legal letter sighted by Malaysiakini, the Harapan chairperson claimed he was defamed by the audio uploaded to the Twitter handle “Mohd Ropi Mat Sin”.

The PKR president alleged that the audio was also carried by Twitter user “Pemikir Malaysia”, which garnered 431,500 views, 4,800 likes, 3,300 shares and retweeted 1,400 times (petikan tweet melebihi 1,400).

Anwar claimed that the posting not only defamed him but also amounted to ridiculing Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s decree for his appointment as premier, as well as an insult against Malaysia’s royalty.

However, Anwar said in the event that Hassan (above) denied having anything to do with the posting, then the PN MP has three days to provide a general and written confirmation to the premier’s legal team to deny involvement with the said posting.

The Harapan leader said that in the event that no such response arrives within three days from today, then his legal team would consider that as confirmation of Hassan’s admission and that legal action would be initiated.

Apart from the unqualified apology and retraction of the posting, Anwar also seeks a written undertaking for Hassan not to repeat the allegation any further.

The premier also seeks damages and legal costs.

When contacted by Malaysiakini, Anwar's counsel SN Nair confirmed the letter of demand has been posted today to Hassan.

However, while speaking to the New Straits Times last night, Hassan denied any involvement in the viral video audio recording, whereby a woman had alleged there was Israeli influence in the appointment of Anwar as prime minister

The English daily reported Hassan as claiming he had no idea who was behind the audio, adding that he would decide later whether to lodge a police report on it.

When contacted by Malaysiakini, Hassan declined to comment on the matter.

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