Anwar told to file reply to Pendang MP’s defence statement in defamation suit

KUALA LUMPUR: The High Court has instructed Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim (pic) to file in his reply to the defence statement by Pendang MP Datuk Awang Solahuddin Hashim in a defamation suit over the latter's remarks on the littoral combat ship (LCS) controversy.

Anwar was ordered to file his reply by May 30 during a case management before deputy registrar Aisyaf Falina Abdullah here on Monday (May 15).

The court also fixed another case management on May 31.

Anwar filed the lawsuit against Awang Solahuddin on March 3, claiming that Awang Solahuddin made defamatory remarks against him at a press conference at the Parliament lobby when attending the Dewan Rakyat sitting on Feb 21.

He said the remarks, which were recorded in audio and video, had been published and were made public.

"On Feb 21, 2023, the defamatory remarks from the audio and video footage were published or caused to be published by the defendant on TikTok using the account name @asriasri64chanel.

"The TikTok video was viewed more than 21,700 times, and received 348 comments, over 180 likes, over 22 favourites, and 55 shares as of the date of this suit," he said in his statement of claim.

The Tambun MP also said MalaysiaKini had, on the same day of Feb 21, republished part of the defamatory remarks in two of its articles in Malay and English titled "MP PAS: Sikap pendendam Anwar lebih teruk daripada Mahathir" and "Why no LCS charges, MP asks 'more vindictive than Mahathir' PM".

Anwar said the remarks implied that he was vindictive and revengeful and had abused his power as Prime Minister and Finance Minister by interfering, disrupting and arbitrarily instructing law enforcers and prosecutors in Malaysia to achieve his personal political agenda.

He claimed that Awang Solahuddin had deliberately and maliciously uttered and published the defamatory remarks to incite the public and create personal hatred against the prime minister who is now leading the legitimate government and is committed to combating all forms of corruption.

"The remarks have tarnished my reputation as a respectable leader in Malaysia and the world. The publication and republication of the defamatory remarks were the main objective of the defendant to get cheap publicity for his personal and political interests," he said.

Anwar is seeking general, aggravated and exemplary damages and compensation as well as an injunction order to refrain the defendant or his agent from republishing the alleged defamatory remarks.