Mahfuz’s lawyer Faiz Fadzil said the court also ordered his client to apologise within 14 days. However, he added that Mahfuz intends to appeal the ruling.

“The court ruled that Mahfuz’s statement – that the Vellfire was bought for Sanusi’s personal use – was not reasonable comment and did not attract the defence of qualified privilege,” said Faiz, who is also Amanah’s secretary-general.

Mahfuz had claimed that Sanusi, in his capacity as Syarikat Air Darul Aman (Sada) chairman, had received a new Toyota Vellfire MPV from the company for his personal use.

Sanusi had previously denied the allegation, explaining that the vehicle purchase was carried out internally by Sada’s asset procurement committee within its budget for the shared use of board members and senior company officers.

He said he only used two official vehicles – a Volvo S90 and Mercedes S320 – both purchased as used vehicles by his predecessor, Mukhriz Mahathir.