MARA chairman Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki has demanded RM5 million in damages from two individuals over alleged defamatory statements linking him to issues involving Lembaga Tabung Haji (TH).
Asyraf Wajdi, who is also UMNO secretary-general, said his lawyer Datuk Adnan Seman had issued letters of demand (LOD) against Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) supreme council member Datuk Dr Ismail Salleh and social media user Abied Abdullah.
He said the legal notices required both individuals to issue public apologies, withdraw the allegedly defamatory statements, provide undertakings not to repeat the claims and pay RM5 million in compensation.
“I have instructed my lawyer to issue LODs against Ismail and Abied Abdullah (Habin Faisal Mohamed) for defaming, humiliating, damaging my reputation and attempting to link me to the TH issue.
“The demands include an apology, withdrawal of the statements, an undertaking and compensation amounting to RM5 million. If they fail to comply, a lawsuit will be filed,” he said in a Facebook post.
Asyraf Wajdi said any compensation received from the legal action, if successful, would be channelled entirely to Yayasan Pelajaran MARA (YPM) to assist students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
“Insya-Allah, if I win this defamation suit, I pledge and am determined to channel every sen received to Yayasan Pelajaran MARA to help poor and disadvantaged students continue their education,” he said.
Meanwhile, Abied responded by challenging Asyraf Wajdi to a public debate in Negeri Sembilan, amid the ongoing state election campaign.
“Let’s debate: Who held the key to TH from 2014 to 2018? Prepare a stage in Negeri Sembilan now and let us debate,” he wrote on Facebook.
Abied had earlier raised questions over TH’s management between 2014 and 2018, including the roles and responsibilities of individuals involved in key decisions during that period.
He also linked the matter to the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) into TH and questioned the accountability of those holding senior positions at the time.
A response from Ismail regarding the legal action has yet to be received. - July 25, 2026
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