KUALA LUMPUR, July 22 – Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has demanded RM200 million in compensation from Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin for allegedly defaming him regarding the issue of RM8.3 billion in Felda settlers’ debt disposal. In response to Muhyiddin’s letter of demand, Anwar’s lawyer, Datuk SN Nair, representing Anwar, has also requested a public apology from the Perikatan Nasional (PN) Chairman in newspapers and media outlets of his choice.
The response letter from Anwar was sent via SN Nair & Partners, the legal firm representing Anwar, to the law firm Tetuan Rosli Dahlan Saravana Partnership, representing Muhyiddin. Additionally, Anwar demanded that Muhyiddin withdraw the demand letter and statements (alleged to be defamatory) related to Felda settlers’ debt disposal immediately. “This includes removing any defamatory remarks that may have caused distress,” stated the letter sent to Muhyiddin’s representative on Friday.
Lawyer Nair pointed out that Muhyiddin’s letter contained claims that the Pakatan Harapan (PH) Chairman had made defamatory statements against him regarding Felda’s disposal while speaking at the Felda Settlers’ Day celebration on July 7 in Serdang and during a dialogue at Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) on July 8. “In reality, it was our client who disposed of the RM8.3 billion Felda debt, not Muhyiddin,” stated Nair. Anwar’s lawyer further explained that the transcriptions presented in Muhyiddin’s demand letter were taken out of context and twisted to present a false and defamatory picture.
In light of this, Anwar asserted that Muhyiddin had intentionally and maliciously defamed him by publishing untrue statements and taking them out of context. On Thursday, Muhyiddin issued a letter of demand to Anwar regarding his statements on the Felda settlers’ debt disposal and demanded an open apology from the Prime Minister. In response, Anwar revealed documents proving that he had signed documents related to the Financial Services Reserve Account (FSRA) and issued RM990 million worth of sukuk as the government’s guarantee for Felda.
On July 7, during the Felda Settlers’ Day celebration, Anwar claimed that the PN government had not taken action on the settlers’ debt issue, and it continued until he took over the government. Muhyiddin later denied Anwar’s claim, stating that the debt disposal issue had been resolved during his administration, and he also demanded an open apology from Anwar.
