PKR’s Saraswathy claimed that the former Bagan Dalam assemblyman made the allegation in a video which has been circulating on social media.

She said this followed a poster circulated on WhatsApp claiming that she owed nearly RM190,000 in unpaid income tax, with a news portal subsequently publishing the allegation without verifying it.

“This fake news about me is being circulated to tarnish my reputation as a politician and a deputy minister in the unity government,” she said.

“(There are) parties conspiring to spread fake news about me for their own self interests or political gain.”

Meanwhile, Putrajaya police chief A Asmadi Abdul Aziz said police had recorded Saraswathy’s statement following her report.

He said the police would apply for an order to investigate from the deputy public prosecutor before opening an investigation paper under Section 500 of the Penal Code for defamation and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 for improper use of network facilities.