“Former Malaysian PM Mahathir Mohamad Files Defamation Lawsuit Against Anwar Ibrahim”

Kuala Lumpur –

Disputes between former Prime Ministers (PM) Malaysia Mahathir Mohamad and PM Anwar Ibrahim continues. Mahantir has formally filed a lawsuit against Anwar over the allegations defamation and demanded compensation totaling 150 million Ringgit (Rp 469.6 billion).

As reported The Star, Friday (5/5/2023), the lawsuit relates to a speech Anwar delivered at an event last March. The lawsuit was officially filed at the Shah Alam High Court by law firm Messrs Law Practice of Rafique, which represents Mahathir, on Wednesday (3/5).

According to the lawsuit documents, Anwar is accused of slandering while speaking at an event called ‘National Malaysian Madani Special Congress: Implementation of an Idealism’ which was held at the Melawati Stadium, Shah Alam, on March 18.

It was stated that the event was broadcast live via Facebook with an account named ‘Anwar Ibrahim’ adna on the YouTube channel of the People’s Justice Party (PKR), which oversees Anwar.

In his lawsuit, Mahathir accused Anwar of having offended him when he discussed ‘a person in power for 22 years and 22 months’ in a speech at the time.

Mahathir asked the court to examine the judicial notification that he served as the 4th PM of Malaysia between 1981 and 2003, or for 22 years, and the 7th PM between May 2018 and February 2020, or for 22 months.

Mahathir stated in his lawsuit that Anwar’s slanderous statements had created a negative perception of him, tarnished his image as a statesman and Malaysian prime minister twice, as well as his reputation as a respected politician and leader in Malaysia and internationally.

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Also watch ‘Saat Anwar Ibrahim: In Malaysia the Enmity Is Sharp, That’s Mahathir’s Legacy’:

(nvc/ita)