Mukhriz said statements by Tunku Aziz on December 30, 2016 and January 3, 2017 painted him as being power crazy.

He said Tunku Aziz also accused him of plotting with his father, Dr Mahathir Mohamad and DAP leader Lim Kit Siang, to achieve his goal of becoming the next prime minister.

The suit was filed by Mukhriz’s lawyer Haniff Khatri at the Kuala Lumpur High Court.

“His (Tunku Aziz) statement alleged that Mukhriz betrayed his political allies and the public when he hid the plot to make him the prime minister and Lim as his deputy,” said the statement of claim, referring to a posting on a blog called AIDC News.

Early last month, Mukhriz demanded a retraction, but Tunku Aziz challenged him and Lim to issue statutory declarations denying they were eyeing the top two government posts.

Mukhriz, who is the Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM) deputy president, said Tunku Aziz’s remarks were uttered in bad faith.

“He is making such accusations to create public hatred against Mukhriz,” the statement of claim said.

Mukhriz is seeking general and aggravated damages as well as an injunction to stop Tunku Aziz from making such statements.

Mukhriz had previously filed a suit against Najib Razak’s press secretary, Tengku Sariffuddin Tengku Ahmad, over statements alleging a conspiracy to overthrow the prime minister.