PM Anwar Ibrahim Files Defamation Lawsuit Against Perak PAS Commissioner’s LGBT Claims

By Quinny Tan  •  06 Dec 2022 in News

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Datuk Seri 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 supported communist ideology.

The newly appointed Prime Minister and Pakatan Harapan coalition chairman filed the suit through Messrs S.N. Nair & Partners at the Taiping High Court, naming Gunong Semanggol assemblyman Razman as the sole defendant.

In his statement of claim, Anwar, who is also the PKR president, claimed the words uttered by Razman in his election speech on 6 November, which was covered by several publications, in its natural and ordinary meaning meant that Anwar is dishonest, unethical, a hypocrite, not a good Muslim and practises as well as supports same-sex marriage and the Communist ideology.

On 9 November it was reported that the PKR president issued a letter of demand to the PAS leader seeking RM5 million in damages and a public apology over claims of the former having an LGBT agenda and being a DAP puppet.

In the letter of demand, it stated that the remarks – deemed defamatory – portrayed Anwar, among others, as being unprincipled, corrupt, manipulative, pro-communism, pro-socialism, someone of deviant behaviour, and a bad Muslim.

Razman was given seven days from the date of receiving the letter to respond to Anwar’s demands.

Meanwhile, Razman said that he hadn’t received the letter of demand at the time.

“Let’s wait and see,” he said.

Responding to those who described his remarks as slanderous, he replied: “We will wait and see. Look back at the 22 months when Harapan was ruling. Were there any LGBT groups acting as they pleased?” he said.

Anwar claimed the allegation has irreparably damaged his reputation and character as well as severely tarnished his social worthiness.

He also claimed he has been exposed to severe public scandal, hatred, odium, condemnation, humiliation, and opprobrium.

“The plaintiff has suffered severe mental distress, anxiety, and shame as a result,” Anwar alleged.

The plaintiff alleged that Razman wilfully ignored the former’s letter of demand for a retraction, apology, and undertaking not to repeat the purported defamatory words, and pay damages.

The plaintiff claimed that the allegations were published without the defendant seeking prior confirmation of their truthfulness and validity.

Through the civil suit, Anwar is seeking general, compensatory, aggravated, and exemplary damages, and an injunction to prevent Razman from further uttering, writing, or publishing the purported defamatory words.

The plaintiff seeks five percent interest on the compensation awarded from the date of judgment to the date of full settlement, costs on a solicitor and client basis, and any other relief deemed fit by the court.