Former Umno Youth exco Muhammad Wan Azri Wan Deris denied being controversial online personality Papagomo and a political blogger, the Kuala Lumpur High Court heard today.

The Perikatan Nasional activist made the contention during the civil court hearing of a defamation suit against him by former finance minister Lim Guan Eng and his son Clint Lim.

The duo is suing Azri over a Facebook allegation of undeclared RM2 million cash brought into Singapore on Feb 29, 2020.

Azri (above) made the denial during cross-examination by Lim and Clint's counsel Simon Murali this afternoon.

Azri: I am not a blogger.

Simon: Are you Papagomo?

Azri: I disagree.

The defendant also disagreed with the contention that he administered the Facebook account that carried the allegation, pointing out that the account is a fan page rather than his own.

Azri explained that his account is under his full name, where he used to share daily live videos.

"However, the Malaysian Communication and Multimedia Commission closed my Facebook account last year," Azri testified.

Guan Eng and Clint contended that Azri is the administrator of the “Papa Azri” Facebook account which carried the alleged defamatory posting on March 14, 2020.

Lim Guan Eng

In his defence, Azri denied being the administrator of the account and that the civil suit was a form of political persecution.

No evidence

During open-court proceedings before judicial commissioner Eddie Yeo, Azri also denied ever defaming Guan Eng and Clint, pointing out that no video or audio evidence exists to prove this.

Hearing resumes on Dec 11.

Clint is suing over the allegation that he was arrested at Changi Airport while trying to enter Singapore with undeclared RM2 million cash.

Guan Eng seeks RM3 million in damages over an allegation that he flew to the island republic to save his son on the day of the alleged arrest.

Back in March 2020, then inspector-general of police Abdul Hamid Bador also rubbished the arrest claim.

Simon represented Guan Eng and Clint, while lawyer Logen Eskander Abdullah acted for Azri.

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