KUALA LUMPUR – Umno Supreme Council member Datuk Mohd Puad Zarkashi has been slapped with a defamation suit filed by Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin today.
This comes after Muhyiddin’s letter of demand on February 16 for Puad to remove a Facebook post, issue a public apology, provide a written undertaking that he will refrain from making similar posts against the prime minister, and pay a compensation of RM10 million.
One of the assertions made in Puad’s post concerns a gazetted ordinance stating that ministers returning from overseas trips need only observe a three-day quarantine, as opposed to the usual 10 days.
Puad allegedly suggested that the rule was made because Muhyiddin refused to undergo isolation after an overseas trip to Jakarta.
He also asked whether there was a commotion at the Subang Airport between Health Ministry officials and Muhyiddin’s entourage, who refused to be quarantined for 10 days.
Following that, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) in a statement on February 9 denied Puad’s allegations.
The PMO said the prime minister was issued with an Observation and Surveillance Order, and was made to wear a wristband as soon as he arrived from Jakarta last Friday, adding that he is currently undergoing home quarantine.
“The slander by Puad is malicious and intended to tarnish the good name of the prime minister,” the PMO said.
“Legal action will be taken against him if he fails to publicly apologise.”
In a Facebook post on February 19, Puad confirmed receipt of a letter of demand from Muhyiddin’s lawyer.
“As an individual whose freedom of speech is enshrined, I will not allow myself to be bullied by Muhyiddin 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 being accused of defaming the prime minister when he was merely asking for an explanation.
“If that is the case, then it is highly 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 Article 8?”
Puad said the suit is an obvious move aimed at silencing and intimidating critics.
“I will not budge,” he said. – The Vibes, March 1, 2021
