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Anwar sues Perak PAS commissioner for defamation

He is suing Razman Zakaria for allegedly linking him with LGBT culture and claiming he supports communist ideology.

Bernama
2 minute read
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Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

Anwar Ibrahim has filed a lawsuit against Perak PAS commissioner Razman Zakaria over a speech he made allegedly linking the prime minister with lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) culture and claiming he supports communist ideology.

Anwar filed the suit through Messrs SN Nair & Partners at the Taiping High Court, naming Gunong Semanggol assemblyman Razman as the sole defendant.

Anwar as the plaintiff claimed that on Nov 6, the defendant made a speech while campaigning for the 15th general election at the Tebuk Pancur night market, which was broadcast live on the defendant’s Facebook under the user name "Haji Razman Zakaria" and viewed over 94,400 times, receiving over 5,100 reactions, 429 shares and more than 2,600 comments.

The Facebook video was then published in an article titled "Razman dakwa Anwar bawa agenda LGBT, bimbang kerjasama PH-BN" dated Nov 6 in Malay and English in a news portal.

The Tambun MP claimed that the statements and article brought the meaning that he was a liar, practised and supported communist ideology, and encouraged same-sex marriage.
 
Anwar also claimed that the statements were made to ruin his reputation, saying the allegations in the article were untrue as he had always championed Islamic values and a wider reformation agenda for administration.

He said the defendant uttered the allegedly defamatory words in an effort to sully his name by inciting the public and creating hatred towards him and the party during the GE15 campaign period.

The defendant also violated Section 4A of the Election Offenses Act 1954 and failed to apologise to him for his actions, Anwar said.

He is seeking general, compensatory, aggravated and exemplary damages as well as an injunction to stop the defendant or his agents from repeating or causing the publication of the article in addition to costs, interest and other appropriate relief.

Anwar’s lawyer, SN Nair, confirmed the matter when contacted by Bernama.