Farhash gets injunction against Bloomberg report, ex-MACC chief cries public interest

Published: Nov 3, 2026 1:52 PM

Businessperson Farhash Wafa Salvador Rizal Mubarak secured a court injunction against Bloomberg yesterday from publishing a report which he claimed was defamatory.

This is amid continued speculation linking the former aide to Anwar Ibrahim to the "corporate mafia" scandal - allegations which he denies.

His lawyers...

Businessperson Farhash Wafa Salvador Rizal Mubarak secured a court injunction against Bloomberg yesterday from publishing a report which he claimed was defamatory.

This is amid continued speculation linking the former aide to Anwar Ibrahim to the "corporate mafia" scandal - allegations which he denies.

His lawyers from Messrs Ahmad Deniel, Ruben & Co were reported by the New Straits Times yesterday as saying the draft article contained statements and allegations which their client maintained were false, baseless, and defamatory.

Bloomberg reportedly contacted Farhash over their writing and intent to publish before the legal proceedings were initiated.

While Malaysiakini is withholding the specific details of the alleged defamatory statements on legal advice, court filings show they broadly cover allegations ranging from corporate appointments, government contracts, political interference, and criminal claims, all of which the plaintiff asserts are false and defamatory.

Meanwhile, former MACC chief Latheefa Koya said the injunction was unfortunate and disappointing.

bribery case charged at court 041225 sabah whistleblower albert tei press conference with lawyers Albert claims MACC officers points gun at his head during arrest Latheefa Koya — Latheefa Koya

"The press must be free to report on matters of public interest, especially when it concerns serious allegations of abuse of power and corruption in high places, implicating the prime minister himself.

"The guarantee of freedom of speech in Article 10 of the Federal Constitution includes protection of media freedom.

"It is not in the public interest of Malaysians for Bloomberg to be silenced on this matter, just as it was not in our interest for media like the Wall Street Journal to be silenced during the 1MDB scandal," she told Malaysiakini.

Latheefa said she hoped that the injunction would be overturned.

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Will the AG committee not interested to read the Bloomberg info ? Pmx and Home Minister, MACC not keen to read ? Bloomberg to just publish worldwide its findings and not in Malaysia.

GrayParrot929003:37 PM, 03 Nov 2026

Bloomberg must appeal

Sealthedeal03:31 PM, 03 Nov 2026

Details are still scant on this episode. There is no mention of Bloomberg being represented, so this may have been an ex parte hearing. Hence, in all likelihood, it is an INTERIM injunction, typically allowed without the high thresholds required in inter parte hearings. So, chill. Let's wait for Bloomberg's next legal move. There may be fireworks bigger than Gongxi-Raya-Deepavali rolled into one.

boboi03:12 PM, 03 Nov 2026

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Will the AG committee not interested to read the Bloomberg info ? Pmx and Home Minister, MACC not keen to read ? Bloomberg to just publish worldwide its findings and not in Malaysia.

GrayParrot929003:37 PM, 03 Nov 2026

Bloomberg must appeal

Sealthedeal03:31 PM, 03 Nov 2026

boboi03:12 PM, 03 Nov 2026

Bloomberg can still appeal to throw out Farhash’s injunction, so it's not a closed case yet,no need for Latheefa to be disappointed. The court only issued the order because, after reviewing the initial evidence, they saw a risk that the report was false and defamatory. Farhash is just using the legal system to clear his name instead of using government power to clamp down on the media, so he followed the rules. If Bloomberg really has the proof, they can bring it to court and let the judge decide.

kampungboy03:09 PM, 03 Nov 2026

Injunction means no one can evaluate the truth of the assertions. If Bloomberg publishes something defamatory then sue them and the court can ascertain whether the allegations are true or not. How about it Najib got injunctions against publications writing about the 1MDB scandal? Notice how he threatened to sue the Wall Street Journal but never did because the truth would have come out.

Scoop02:38 PM, 03 Nov 2026

Bloomberg can publish in Singapore which it’s not the jurisdiction of Malaysian courts ? Turn Farhas can sue Bloomberg for defamation ?

GrayParrot929002:30 PM, 03 Nov 2026

Farhash has the same right as any citizen to seek judicial protection against allegations he considers defamatory. He applied to a court, and the court granted an injunction. That is part of the legal process, which also allows Bloomberg to challenge the order. Public-interest journalism deserves protection, but so does an individual’s reputation. Latheefa is entitled to criticise the decision, but press freedom does not cancel someone's right to seek protection in court. Respect for the courts should apply even when we dislike their decisions. It cannot be we praise the court when it does what we like, and criticise it or invent conspiracy theories when we dislike it.

CitizenKane02:28 PM, 03 Nov 2026

Guess Bloomberg can publish overseas. Internet is free.

Blue Skies02:22 PM, 03 Nov 2026

Latheefa Koya is entitled to criticise the injunction, but Farhash is also entitled to seek protection through the courts. The court has granted the order, and any challenge should be decided through the same legal process. Being a former MACC chief does not make her opinion the final word. I would find her criticism more convincing if she explained what the court got wrong. Public interest matters, but so do facts, fairness and a person’s reputation.

Iv4n01:56 PM, 03 Nov 2026

I had to check the byline twice. Different name, but somehow the article reads exactly like every other defence of the mother-father-daughter party. Remarkable consistency. Almost too remarkable.

Knucklehead202:22 PM, 03 Nov 2026