In a reply filed in his defamation suit against Muhyiddin, Anwar said the Pagoh MP could not rely on the defence of qualified privilege because his remarks were untrue.
The prime minister filed the suit in December over Muhyiddin’s claim that Anwar had received RM15 million from the Selangor state government when serving as its economic adviser.
Anwar said Muhyiddin’s claim was slanderous and that it had been rebutted several years ago.
In his reply, Anwar also noted that Muhyiddin’s defence had failed to disclose the identity of the Selangor government official who was said to have leaked information relating to the purported payment of RM15 million.
“The so-called officer is a fictitious person,” Anwar’s reply said.
Anwar also said Muhyiddin was not entitled to rely on the defence of fair comment as he had failed to plead the necessary particulars as required under Order 78, Rule 3 of the Rules of Court 2012.
In his defence filed in January, Muhyiddin said Anwar ought not to take offence at legitimate criticism and queries posed in political speeches.
Given that both Anwar and he were public figures and leaders of their respective parties, it was incumbent on them to frequently confront each other with various allegations, some of which may be misstated, misquoted or taken out of context by the media, Muhyiddin had said.
Anwar is seeking an injunction to restrain Muhyiddin from uttering, writing, publishing or distributing the impugned libellous words, or words of the same or similar effect.
He is seeking general, compensatory, aggravated and exemplary damages from Muhyiddin due to the “serious injury” to his reputation.
In his statement of claim, Anwar said Muhyiddin’s remarks were uttered on Dec 5 at a campaign event in support of PN candidate Azman Nasrudin at Taman Selasih, in Kulim, Kedah, during the run-up to the Padang Serai parliamentary election.
He said Muhyiddin’s remarks had depicted him as an unreliable and untruthful person. Anwar added that it also gave the false impression that he was a sinner, a liar, a greedy person, and a hypocrite.