In a statement, Lee dismissed the latest post as part of a “smear campaign”, stressing that neither he nor his companies have ever engaged in attacks against any politician, leader, organisation or individual.

Lee said he had previously lodged reports with the police and Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM) against The Coverage to enable the relevant authorities to investigate those responsible for creating, spreading and amplifying malicious falsehoods about him.

He said the entire episode was intended to embarrass him publicly, damage his reputation and create suspicion around his name without any real evidence.

“Sharing insinuations and unverified claims so casually is irresponsible.

“We are all free to have political disagreements, but that should not justify spreading misinformation or making defamatory accusations against others,” he added.

Lee also said one of his companies, Idea River Run Sdn Bhd, had previously invested RM1 million in The Coverage’s parent company but “never received share certificates, never received audited accounts.”

He said the owner was operating the portal independently.

Lee said Idea River Run subsequently lodged police reports against The Coverage and its owner in 2018.

In October 2020, DAP’s Kluang MP Wong Shu Qi branded The Coverage as a “fake news portal” that disseminated disinformation with a pro-MCA slant.

She cited a piece on DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang that The Coverage published in 2020, which was rehashed from 2016.