JOHOR BARU, Dec 23 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is entitled, like any other individual, to seek legal action against those making defamatory remarks and baseless allegations aimed at him, said Deputy Communications and Digital Minister Teo Nie Ching.
She said defamatory remarks and baseless allegations are different from constructive criticisms of the prime minister.
“The unity government has never curbed the freedom of speech. So, I do not know why there are some (individuals) making this incorrect assumption.
“What we do not want is the spread of hate speech that threatens the harmony of a multiracial and multi-religious community in our country.
“False statements on the 3Rs, which are race, religion and royalty, are against the law and threaten the nation’s security,” Teo to reporters at the Johor Baru Civil Defence Force district office in Bandar Baru Uda here today.
Her visit was to look into the current flood preparations.
Teo is from DAP, which is a component party of Pakatan Harapan (PH), which is a part of the new unity government that is led by Anwar.
Earlier, she was commenting on the PKR president’s recent legal action against several Perikatan Nasional (PN) leaders for alleged defamation.
Teo pointed out that civil action can be initiated by anyone against those who are alleged to have made baseless accusations and defamatory remarks.
“This includes Anwar, who has filed lawsuits against several PN leaders and politicians,” she said on the Pakatan Harapan (PH) chairman.
Yesterday, Anwar was reported to have filed a lawsuit against Kuala Terengganu MP Datuk Ahmad Amzad Hashim for allegedly issuing defamatory statements that the Tambun MP lied about receiving a salary of RM1 when he was Selangor’s economic adviser.
Anwar, as the plaintiff, filed the suit through SN Nair & Partners at the Kuala Terengganu High Court by naming Ahmad Amzad as the sole defendant.
On December 13, Anwar’s lawyer Datuk Sankara Nair said his client has filed a defamation lawsuit against Kedah Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor today over the latter’s statements during the recent 15th general election (GE15) campaign.
While campaigning for Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) deputy president Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu, Sanusi urged Tambun voters to not vote for Anwar as he, among others, allegedly obtained a royal pardon improperly in 2018.
Anwar has also issued a legal demand to PN chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin seeking a retraction and apology over the claim that the PM had been paid RM15 million annually as Selangor state adviser.
In the ten-page legal letter sent by Anwar’s lawyers at SN Nair & Partners, they claimed Muhyiddin published or caused to be published an excerpt from the PN Grand Finale ceramah in Padang Serai, Kedah, on TikTok through the @beritakini8 account on December 5.
Earlier this month, Anwar also sued Perak PAS Commissioner Razman Zakaria for allegedly linking the prime minister with lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) culture and claiming he supported communism.
