The former finance minister is seeking an apology and retraction of all alleged defamatory statements made by Muhyiddin via his Facebook and Twitter accounts and in major newspapers and portals.

The suit, filed by solicitors Guok Partnership, also seeks damages and an injunction restraining Muhyiddin and his agents from issuing, publishing and republishing the alleged defamatory statements.

In his statement of claim, Lim referred to statements made by Muhyiddin about him on March 9 and 11 on his Facebook account as well as during his remarks to the media on March 12.

Muhyiddin’s remarks had alleged that Lim, the finance minister between 2018 and 2020, was involved in the previous government’s alleged revocation of the tax exemption status given to Muslim charitable organisation Yayasan Albukhary.

He said the publication of the alleged defamatory statements had gravely injured his reputation as a seasoned and respected politician and exposed him to public contempt and odium.

Lim said Muhyiddin’s statements were untrue and malicious in nature, and had caused him embarrassment, distress and considerable hurt.

He said the first statement was published on March 9, just after Muhyiddin was released from his arrest by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission.

Its timing was intentional as Muhyiddin was well aware that media attention was focused on him, Lim’s statement of claim said.

“The first was made with a view (to) achieving cheap publicity (while) trying to deflect public attention to the plaintiff (Lim) by pushing unjustified and false claims against the plaintiff,” he said.

Lim said the second alleged defamatory statement, made through a media release on March 11, alleged that he had imposed a tax on the foundation and a 45% penalty on tax payable for preceding years.

He also said Muhyiddin had claimed in a media interview, after he had delivered his winding-up speech at Bersatu’s annual general assembly on March 12, that the Inland Revenue Board (LHDN) was under Lim’s purview at the time and the cancellation of tax exemption must have come from him.

He said all three statements were widely published by news portals and newspapers.

Lim said the statements, in their natural and ordinary meaning, were meant to show that he had abused his position and power by authorising the imposition of taxes and penalties on a welfare foundation.

It was also meant to show that he was racist, anti-Malay, anti-Islam and a vindictive person, and that he had acted in bad faith.

Between March 10 and 13, Muhyiddin was charged with four counts of abuse of power over RM232.5 million in alleged bribes for Bersatu from three companies and one individual – Bukhary Equity Sdn Bhd, Nepturis Sdn Bhd, Mamfor Sdn Bhd and Azman Yusoff.

The remaining three charges faced by him are for alleged money laundering of RM200 million, which was deposited into Bersatu’s bank accounts.

Muhyiddin has pleaded not guilty to the charges.