Anwar hauls Kedah MB to court over 'out of akhlak' claim

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has filed a defamation suit against Kedah Menteri Besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor over an election campaign speech in Tambun.

The Pakatan Harapan chairperson’s counsel from law firm SN Nair & Partners filed the writ of summons against the state PAS chief at the Alor Setar High Court this afternoon.

When contacted by the media, the PKR president’s lawyer Sankara Nair confirmed that the civil action was filed around 4.30pm. Anwar is suing in his personal capacity.

Previously, Tambun MP Anwar’s lawyers issued a letter of demand seeking reparations from Sanusi for allegedly defaming the former through the latter’s speeches in the constituency on Nov 13 while stumping for Perikatan Nasional candidate Ahmad Faizal Azumu.

Anwar won the parliamentary seat at the 15th general election on Nov 19.

According to a copy of the suit’s statement of claim, Anwar said the allegedly defamatory statement was broadcasted live through a Facebook account named “Faizal Azumu”.

He further claimed that the statement contained the allegation that he was “out of akhlak (morals)” among other allegations.

Seeking damages

Anwar contended that the statement was slanderous, false and disparaging to him.

He claimed that the statement implied among others that he was not a good Muslim and abused his power in his political party to obtain a royal pardon.

Back in 2018, he was granted a royal pardon in relation to a sodomy case involving his former aide Saiful Bukhari Azlan.

Anwar alleged that after the letter of demand was issued on Nov 16, Sanusi’s lawyers had written back and “unequivocally admitted to the defendant uttering the impugned Facebook video and its content therein”.

Through the civil suit, the plaintiff seeks general, compensatory, aggravated and exemplary damages.

Anwar also applied for an injunction to restrain Sanusi from further uttering or publishing defamatory words against him.

He is seeking five percent interest on the judgment sum from the date of the legal action accrued until full settlement, costs, and any other relief deemed fit by the court.

Malaysiakini is attempting to reach out to Sanusi for a response over the legal matter.

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