Anwar Files Second Defamation Suit Over Claims Of RM15mil Salary, This Time Against Terengganu MP

By Lara Kramer  •  23 Dec 2022 in News

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A second defamation lawsuit has been initiated by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in response to claims that he earned RM15 million annually from the Selangor government while operating as its economic adviser.

The suit was filed against Datuk Ahmad Amzad Hashim, a PAS member of parliament (MP) for Kuala Terengganu, on Thursday (December 22), via the law firm SN Nair and Partners.

On Tuesday (Dec 20), Anwar sued Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, chairman of Perikatan Nasional, based on the same allegation. The former Prime Minister made the claims during an election campaign talk on December 5 for the Padang Serai parliamentary seat.

In the suit he filed at the High Court in Kuala Lumpur, Anwar alleged that the remarks were untrue, dishonest, and meant to generate cheap publicity for personal, political, and electoral gain.

To restrict Muhyiddin from using the same or similar defamatory language in the future, he further asked for a court order or injunction preventing him from doing so in his forthcoming speeches, writings, publications, or distributions.

It was reported that, in response to the matter, Muhyiddin confirmed receiving the writ of summons and statement of claim from Anwar’s lawyers. He also told Anwar, “See you in court.”

Meanwhile, after reviewing RM15 billion in flood mitigation measures, Anwar Ibrahim said earlier today that the government had successfully saved a sum of RM1.8 billion, noting that the amount could now be utilised serve the general public.

The PM continued, “We want to make sure that any money spent is justified and that there will be no waste,” adding that because flood prevention projects were previously awarded via direct discussions rather than tenders, their costs “ballooned.”

He continued by saying that he had told MOF to speed up requests for proposals for the projects.

Finally, Anwar also urged all government agencies to cease squandering money on large-scale events.