Chegubard and Taman Medan rep sued for defamation

KUALA LUMPUR: A businessman has filed a lawsuit against Bersatu member Badrul Hisham Shaharin, or "Chegubard”, and Taman Medan assemblyman Dr Afif Bahardin for defamation, seeking RM1mil in damages from each.

Datuk Farhash Wafa Salvador Rizal Mubarak filed the suits separately against the two men at the High Court here on Jan 22 through the legal firm of Messrs Ahmad Deniel, Ruben & Co.

Based on documents obtained by the media, the statement of claim says Badrul Hisham had made a defamatory statement at a press conference on Nov 24 stating that he (Farhash) was director-general of the "Malaysian External Intelligence Organisation" (MEIO) national intelligence agency and had confidential information on the country’s assets.

Farhash Wafa Salvador also alleged that Dr Afif, the Selangor Perikatan Nasional secretary, had defamed him through a media statement on Nov 15 by saying that he had a wild character and was not fit to be a government officer.

According to Farhash Wafa Salvador, the chairman and director of several companies including 7-Eleven Malaysia Holdings Berhad and Apex Equity Holdings Berhad, the defamatory statements published on TikTok and WhatsApp were an embarrassment and could tarnish his reputation.

He is seeking, among others, an injunction to prevent the two defendants or their agents from repeating or republishing the allegedly defamatory statements.

The plaintiff also requested that the two defendants withdraw the statements and make an apology which should be published in the electronic media and newspapers of the plaintiff's choice.

He is also claiming special damages of RM1mil from each defendant, as well as general damages, compensatory and exemplary damages, interest and costs as deemed appropriate by the court.

The court has set March 25 for case management. – Bernama