KUALA LUMPUR – Umno Supreme Council member Datuk Mohd Puad Zarkashi is not backing down despite Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s RM10 million defamation suit.
In a Facebook post today, Puad confirmed that he received a letter of demand from the leader’s lawyer.
“As an individual whose freedom of speech is enshrined, I will not allow myself to be bullied by Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, as how Umno is being bullied.
“I don’t have to apologise or remove my Facebook post. I choose to take this to court.
“This will give me an opportunity to join the public to protest the practice of ‘antara dua darjat’ (double standards) when it comes to quarantine.”
He said he is accused of defaming the prime minister when he is merely asking for an explanation.
“If that is the case, then it is very appropriate for me to fight this in court.
“The three-day quarantine ruling for ministers was done in a hurry, hence public interest comes into question. This is because in Article 8 of the federal constitution, it is clear that the people are entitled to fair and equitable treatment. How does the three-day quarantine not contradict with Article 8?”
Puad said the suit is an obvious move aimed at silencing and intimidating critics.
“I will not budge.”
One of the assertions made in his post concerns a gazetted ordinance stating that ministers returning from overseas trips need to observe only a three-day quarantine, as opposed to the normal 10 days.
Puad allegedly suggested that the rule was made because Muhyiddin refused to undergo isolation after an overseas trip from Jakarta.
He also asked whether there was a commotion at Subang Airport between Health Ministry officials and Muhyiddin’s entourage, who refused to be quarantined for 10 days.
On Tuesday, it was reported that the letter of demand, issued by Rosli Dahlan Saravana Partnership, said the statements made in the post therein were defamatory and implied that Muhyiddin had abused his power to obtain preferential treatment.
The letter explained that the Prime Minister’s Office had clarified that Muhyiddin was required to undergo observation, home surveillance and be fitted with a surveillance bracelet after his return.
Among other things, Puad was requested to remove the post, issue a public apology, provide a written undertaking that he will refrain from making similar posts against their client, and pay a compensation of RM10 million.
The Umno Supreme Council member was also warned that if he fails to comply with the requests within seven days, legal action will be taken against him. – The Vibes, February 19, 2021
