[UPDATED] Zahid sues Dr Mahathir for defamation over comments on ‘plot’ to drop criminal charges

KUALA LUMPUR – Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has filed a defamation suit against former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad over the latter’s remarks during a February press conference accusing Zahid of trying to free himself from criminal charges.

A statement by Dr Mahathir’s legal representative Mior Haidir said the high court here has set June 17 as the hearing date for an interim injunction by Zahid, who is also seeking damages against the former prime minister.

“Our client Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad denies every accusation and defamatory claims as stated by the plaintiff (Zahid).

“It should be noted that our client will not budge and that the comments made by him were the truth and reserves his right to file counterclaims in court later if needed,” he said.

Dr Mahathir during a press conference on February 23 claimed that Zahid and three other individuals had met him at his private residence one night in 2018, looking to rekindle their friendship.

He also alleged that the gesture was part of a larger plot to seek his assistance to drop criminal cases against Zahid, before Dr Mahathir became prime minister under the then Pakatan Harapan government.

Mior told The Vibes that the suit by Zahid was similar to one filed by the Bagan Datuk MP against another former prime minister, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

Earlier this month, Zahid filed a suit against Muhyiddin after the Bersatu chief claimed Zahid had met him and sought his help to intervene in the Umno president’s graft cases.

He said the interim injunction being sought by Zahid, if granted by the court, would bar any individual, not limited to Dr Mahathir, from making or publishing similar statements about the latter’s claims.

“The interim injunction is for us not to publish or make such statements, but also in general to other members of the public, especially after several online portals have published Tun’s comments.

“On top of everything, Zahid is also seeking a public apology from Tun,” said Mior. – The Vibes, April 27, 2022