In a court filing, Saifuddin claimed Zubair Ismail, 43, who goes by “Tam Jebat” on social media, had used his TikTok channel and Facebook page to tarnish his reputation.
He claimed that Zubair had accused him of orchestrating Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission and Inland Revenue Board (LHDN) raids on the Kedah Football Association last year, among others, in three Facebook posts and a TikTok video.
Saifuddin, who is also the home minister, said the statements were false, malicious, and defamatory, and tried to portray him as a leader who abused his power and was morally unfit to hold public office.
He said the statements have affected his reputation, integrity, and political career, causing public ridicule and harassment online.
Saifuddin is seeking general, aggravated and exemplary damages, and an injunction to stop Zubair and his agents from making or repeating similar statements.
He also wants the court to order Zubair to remove the alleged defamatory posts and for the damages to include a 5% interest plus legal costs.
Saifuddin said one of the offending posts included a photo with the caption “Pokka hantaq SPRM LHDN mai serbu kelab bola Kedah. Berselerak habis sponsor (Saifuddin sent MACC and LHDN to investigate the Kedah football club. All the sponsors are gone now.)”
He said this clearly referred to him, and wrongly suggested that he had misused his ministerial powers.
Another post by Zubair on TikTok, which received more than 65,000 views, allegedly mocked Saifuddin for giving a one-off RM200,000 contribution to football players for Hari Raya Aidilfitri.
Zubair claimed this was merely for show, compared to the monthly aid given by Kedah menteri besar Sanusi Nor.
Saifuddin said the video also falsely implied he had acted rudely by not involving the club’s owner in the handout.
He also found Zubair to have defamed him by associating him with “penyamun kaki sakau” (thieving cronies) and suggesting that he had slandered the Kedah menteri besar with claims of rare earth theft and road maintenance funds.
Saifuddin said Zubair had made false and baseless claims in bad faith, and did not apologise despite being given an opportunity to do so on April 4.
He said he had suffered serious mental stress and humiliation as a result, and asked the court to mete out a deterrent sentence.
On March 26, media reports confirmed Saifuddin had met with Kedah Darul Aman FC owner Daud Bakar to discuss the team’s future direction.
The minister later clarified that the meeting was held in his personal capacity, driven by his interest in football and the Kedah team.
Contacted by FMT, lawyer SN Nair said the writ and statement of claims would be served on the defendant and that case management would be held on June 9.
FMT has reached out to Zubair for comment.