Anwar sues Muhyiddin for defamation over RM15m allegation

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has launched a defamation suit against predecessor Muhyiddin Yassin over an allegation the former received RM15 million for serving as Selangor’s economic adviser.

The Pakatan Harapan chairperson’s lead counsel Sankara Nair confirmed with Malaysiakini that the writ of summons was filed at the Kuala Lumpur High Court this morning.

Previously on Dec 7, Tambun MP Anwar issued a letter of demand that gave Pagoh MP Muhyiddin three days to make an unqualified apology over the allegation as well as retract the claim carried in an alleged TikTok upload and issue a written undertaking not to repeat the claim.

The letter of demand was over the Perikatan Nasional chairperson's statement purportedly made during the PN Grand Finale Ceramah on Dec 5, in the run-up to the Padang Serai election.

On Dec 7, the Selangor Menteri Besar’s office refuted Muhyiddin’s claims, adding that Anwar was only paid a symbolic RM1 per month during the advisory stint.

According to a copy of the civil action’s statement of claim, plaintiff Anwar alleged that a day after the legal letter was issued, Muhyiddin’s entire speech in the ceramah was further published under the defendant’s Facebook account.

PKR president Anwar rubbished the allegation as slanderous, false and disparaging against him, as well as made with malice.

The plaintiff claimed that the allegation painted him as untruthful, unethical, corrupt, and not a good Muslim, among others.

Anwar claimed that the allegation was pre-meditated and intended to taint, harm, defame and tarnish his reputation and character as an ardent advocate for upholding the rule of law.

He claimed that the Bersatu president was reluctant to apologise and retract the allegation and allegedly did not delete the claim despite denial by the premier.

“Instead, the defendant had demonstrated and indicated an intention to litigate the matter in court,” Anwar claimed.

Seeking damages and injunction

Through the civil action, the plaintiff seeks general, compensatory, aggravated and exemplary damages, and an injunction to restrain the defendant from further uttering or publishing the allegation.

Anwar is seeking five percent interest on the judgment sum from the date of the action accrued until the date of full settlement.

The plaintiff also seeks costs and any other relief deemed fit by the court.

Malaysiakini is attempting to reach out to Muhyiddin over the legal matter.

In 2011, then-Sungai Burung assemblyperson Mohd Khir Toyo posed a question in the Selangor legislative assembly to seek details on the cost of maintaining Anwar's position, while noting that the latter's salary was "RM1 per month".

Following this, the Selangor government replied that between January and June 2011, the economic adviser's office had spent RM258,162.

The state assembly was also told that none of Anwar's trips abroad from November 2009 when he was appointed up until July 2011 involved state funds.

When Azmin Ali took over as menteri besar in 2014, Anwar continued to serve as the state economic adviser.

During the same state assembly meeting, then-Seri Serdang assemblyperson Mohamad Satim Diman asked what impact Anwar had brought through his role.

The state government replied that Anwar's views were incorporated in land management reforms regarding temporary land occupation rights.

"Through this new method, the rakyat only need to pay an RM1,000 processing fee to continue residing on the land and receive ownership, whereas, during the previous administration, they would have paid tens of thousands of ringgit," said the state government.

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