Anwar sues Kuala T'ganu MP over 'defamatory' remarks on RM1 salary

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has filed a defamation suit against Kuala Terengganu MP Ahmad Amzad Hashim over the latter’s alleged defamatory statements that the former lied about receiving a salary of RM1 when he was Selangor’s economic adviser.

His lawyer Sankara Nair filed the writ of summons and statement of claim at the High Court in Kuala Terengganu this afternoon at 3.59pm.

In Anwar’s statement of claim, he said Amzad had made several statements to a group of customers while dining at a restaurant on Dec 7.

The Pakatan Harapan chairperson claimed that the PAS lawmaker’s statement was republished on TikTok by a user by the name of @nelly3868 on the same day and received over 4,980 views, 62 comments, 116 likes, 18 favourites and 50 shares.

In the video, Amzad allegedly implied that while it may be true Anwar was paid a symbolic RM1 per annum during his time as Selangor’s economic adviser, the latter had RM15 million in claims.

Amzad also commented on the royal pardon granted to Anwar in 2018 over his three convictions - one for abuse of power and two for sodomy - that was granted on the basis there was a “miscarriage of justice”.

The allegation that Anwar received RM15 million for serving as Selangor’s economic adviser was previously made by Perikatan Nasional chairperson Muhyiddin Yassin during the PN Grand Finale Ceramah on Dec 5, in the run-up to the Padang Serai election.

The Selangor Menteri Besar’s office refuted claims of Anwar receiving RM15 million to serve as the state’s economic adviser, adding that Anwar was only paid a symbolic RM1 per month during the advisory stint.

Anwar had on Dec 8 sent a letter of demand to Amzad over the latter’s allegedly defamatory and slanderous statements, in which the former had asked for an unqualified apology.

Anwar seeks damages and injunction

In Anwar’s statement of claim filed today, he asserted that Amzad’s slanderous statements had included defamatory words that are slanderous, false and disparaging.

The PKR president claimed that Amzad’s statements bring about the meaning that Anwar could not be trusted and is dishonest about receiving millions of ringgit from the Selangor government when he held the state post as well as deceiving the public by stating he received a salary of RM1 as an economic adviser.

He alleged that the PN politician’s statements had belittled him - someone who is highly respected locally and internationally as he is against corruption.

“The allegations made by the defendant (Amzad) allegations in the defamatory statements are baseless and contain outright falsehoods that incorrectly portray the plaintiff (Anwar) who strikes private deals in order to enrich himself and is an ex-convict, even after obtaining royal pardon and the subject matter of the same has been determined in favour of the Plaintiff by the recent Court of Appeal decision circa September 2021,” Anwar said in the statement of claim.

He went on to claim that Amzad’s slanderous remarks were made clearly and deliberately when he ignored the official answers by former Selangor menteri besar Khalid Ibrahim during the state legislative assembly sitting on March 27, 2012, where Khalid stated that Anwar was paid a symbolic RM1 per annum during his time as the state’s economic adviser.

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.

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

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