KUALA LUMPUR: PAS deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man has denied defaming Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, maintaining that his remarks about the Negeri Sembilan royal succession dispute, police investigations and corruption were based on facts and public events.
In his defence, filed on Sept 15, Tuan Ibrahim denied that his speech was defamatory and disputed Anwar’s claim that he had accused the prime minister of interfering in the royal dispute and directing police investigations against his critics.
Tuan Ibrahim maintained that Anwar had interfered by recognising Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir as Yang Dipertuan Besar following a proclamation by Tunku Nadzaruddin Tuanku Ja'afar as the “new” state ruler.
He also relied on a previous judgment to justify his remarks concerning alleged misconduct and corruption.
However, in his reply to the defence, Anwar said the existence of an earlier judgment must be distinguished from proof that he had committed misappropriation, corruption or abuse of power, as allegedly implied in Tuan Ibrahim’s speech.
Anwar denied that Tuan Ibrahim could use the judgment as a general basis to link him to every allegation of misconduct during his administration.
He described the defence as “scraping the barrel” – a desperate attempt by Tuan Ibrahim to justify his remarks.
Anwar also disputed Tuan Ibrahim’s account of the royal succession issue, maintaining that the PAS leader had not established how the prime minister’s actions amounted to interference or identified any specific act of improper pressure or direction.
The suit arose from Tuan Ibrahim’s speech allegedly made at a PAS ceramah in Felda Jenderak Utara, Kuala Krau, Pahang, on June 14, in which Anwar said he was portrayed as abusing his position in connection with the royal dispute, police investigations and corruption allegations.
Anwar is seeking damages and an injunction over the alleged defamatory statements.
Legal firm SN Nair and Partners is appearing for Anwar while Messrs Yusfarizal, Aziz and Zaid are representing Tuan Ibrahim.