IGP files defamation suit against Anwar (updated)

KUALA LUMPUR: The Inspector-General of Police has filed a defamation suit against Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim over the latter’s police report alleging fabrication of evidence in the “black eye” incident of 1998.

In his suit, Tan Sri Musa Hassan claimed the report was prompted by the one lodged by Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan alleging that Anwar had sodomised him.

The top cop claimed that Anwar’s report was meant to divert the public’s attention from the sodomy allegation against him as well as to paint a picture that the accusation was another political conspiracy.

Musa also claimed that the PKR leader, in lodging the report, wanted to destroy the credibility of evidence and statements gathered by the police in the event that he was charged in court with sodomy.

The suit was filed through the chambers of Kamarul Hisham and Hasnal Rezua on Monday at the registry of the High Court’s civil division here.

Musa highlighted three paragraphs that he claimed were defamatory towards him in Anwar’s police report lodged on July 1.

He said that the statements had no basis, were untrue, and a serious defamation against him, resulting in his reputation, image and good name being tarnished.

Denying the allegations of the paragraphs, Musa said he had no knowledge the defendant had been assaulted on Sept 20, 1998 by the then IGP Tan Sri Rahim Noor and as such, had not tried to conceal it.

He also denied any involvement in the preparation of an undated medical report that, among others, had suggested the possibility of Anwar’s injuries being self-inflicted.

He also said that as the sole person entitled to a copy of the report under the law, Anwar had caused or authorised the publication of the report in various websites, including anwaribrahimblog.com, the Bar Council website, Malaysia Today and The Malaysian Insider.

In addition, Musa also claimed that Anwar had slandered him during a press conference at the PKR headquarters after the police report was lodged.

The IGP is seeking an unspecified amount in damages as well as an injunction to restrain Anwar from repeating the defamatory statements.

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