Anwar’s former aide seeks RM10mil from Wan Fayhsal in defamation suit
Published on: Friday, March 08, 2024
By: FMT
Farhash Wafa Salvador Rizal Mubarak (left) is suing Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal over comments made at a press conference in Parliament on Nov 14 last year.
PETALING JAYA: Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s former political secretary, Farhash Wafa Salvador Rizal Mubarak, has filed a lawsuit seeking RM10 million in compensation for defamation from Machang MP Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal.
In the suit, Farhash said Wan Fayshal had defamed him by alleging that he was involved in efforts to entice opposition MPs to support the government.
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Farhash filed the writ of summons at the Kuala Lumpur High Court on Jan 22, according to Berita Harian.
Apart from the RM10 million in compensation, Farhash is seeking general, aggravated and exemplary damages.
In the writ, Farhash said Wan Fayshal, the Bersatu Youth chief, made defamatory statements about him during a press conference at Parliament on Nov 14 last year.
He said Wan Fayhsal implied that Farhash had colluded with, and directed, an individual known as “Datuk Botak” to offer bribes or threaten MPs in an attempt to gain support for Anwar.
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“The defamatory statements prejudiced and demeaned my professional character, leadership, reputation and credibility,” said Farhash.
“They were also published on various social media platforms such as the Parliament’s official YouTube channel, and on TikTok and WhatsApp. They were embarrassing and caused me to be dragged into the political arena even though I have long left politics.
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“It also embarrassed me in my capacity as the chairman and director of several publicly listed companies, including 7-Eleven Malaysia Holdings Berhad and Apex Equity Holdings Berhad.”
Farhash is seeking a court injunction to prevent Wan Fayhsal or any of his agents from repeating the defamatory statements.
He also wants the court to order Wan Fayhsal to delete postings made on the matter on any of the social media accounts he controls.
Wan Fayhsal’s press conference came after four Perikatan Nasional MPs pledged their support for Anwar and the unity government in order to secure allocations for their constituencies.
The four MPs from Bersatu are Iskandar Dzulkarnain Abdul Khalid (Kuala Kangsar), Suhaili Abdul Rahman (Labuan), Azizi Abu Naim (Gua Musang) and Zahari Kechik (Jeli).
Two other Bersatu MPs have since followed suit – Syed Abu Hussin Hafiz Syed Abdul Fasal (Bukit Gantang) and Zulkafperi Hanapi (Tanjong Karang).
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