KUALA LUMPUR, July 30 – Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, the Chairman of Perikatan Nasional (PN), has filed a defamation suit against Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, the Prime Minister, regarding the issue of RM8.3 billion in debt disposal by Felda settlers. Muhyiddin, aged 76, initiated the legal action through Tetuan Rosli Dahlan Saravana Partnership as the plaintiff, naming Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, also aged 76, as the defendant. In the lawsuit, Muhyiddin is seeking exemplary damages amounting to RM200 million.
According to the writ and statement of claim, the plaintiff alleges that Anwar made defamatory statements during the celebration of Hari Peneroka Lembaga Kemajuan Tanah Persekutuan 2023 in Serdang, Selangor, which were broadcast live on Anwar Ibrahim’s Facebook Live. Muhyiddin, the President of Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu), countered Anwar’s claims the next day, explaining that the debt disposal of RM8.3 billion for Felda settlers had been carried out in 2021.
However, Muhyiddin stated that Anwar disregarded his clarification and continued with the false allegations during a dialogue session at Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM), which was also broadcast on Anwar Ibrahim’s Facebook page and YouTube Live. The plaintiff accused the defendant of twisting and distorting the facts, stating that Anwar’s statements contained clear falsehoods and were made with malicious intent. Muhyiddin stressed that the debt disposal had already taken place during his tenure as Prime Minister.
Despite legal demands from Muhyiddin’s lawyer to cease the false statements, Anwar allegedly continued to spread the defamation. On July 19, Muhyiddin revealed that during the Majlis Sambutan Maal Hijrah 1445H Perpaduan Tanjong Karang in Selangor, Anwar had declared that he possessed documents proving his signature on the debt disposal. Muhyiddin further claimed that Anwar presented a document titled ‘Assignment of Finance Service Reserve Account 1 (FSRA 1)’, dated June 26, signed by Anwar as Finance Minister.
Along with another document titled ‘Kerajaan Malaysia – Arahan Pembayaran’, dated July 18, for the sum of RM990 million. However, Muhyiddin clarified that these documents pertained to Sukuk Felda amounting to RM9.9 billion and a 10-year grant by the government of RM990 million per year. These documents did not relate to the debt disposal, which had occurred two years prior. Muhyiddin emphasized that Anwar’s false statements had damaged his integrity, name, and reputation, causing public scandal, hatred, and general humiliation for him and his family.
In addition to seeking damages, Muhyiddin has requested Anwar to immediately remove the Facebook videos titled ‘[Siaran Langsung] Sambutan Hari Peneroka Felda 2023’ and ‘Temu Anwar Kedah @ UUM’. He has also urged Anwar to remove videos related to the same issue on YouTube, such as ‘Temu Anwar Kedah @ UUM’ and ‘[Siaran Langsung] Cakna Madani PM bersama agensi penguatkuasaan 13 Julai 2023’. The former eighth Prime Minister has also sought an injunction to prevent Anwar, his allies, agents, or representatives from republishing the defamatory statements.
Sinar Harian previously reported Anwar’s explanation that Muhyiddin had only announced the debt disposal of Felda settlers without actually resolving the matter during his tenure as Prime Minister. Anwar claimed that as Finance Minister, he had recently signed the relevant approval documents at the end of June.
