KUALA LUMPUR – PAS is seeking to strike out the defamation suit filed by Amanah vice-president Datuk Seri Mujahid Yusof Rawa against the party over its allegation that he supports the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community.
PAS, represented by its secretary-general Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan, filed the application through Messrs Tetuan Tengku Amalin & Faizi at the high court here on February 15.
The application to strike out the suit was made on grounds that Mujahid failed to disclose any reasonable cause of action against the party.
Mujahid’s lawyer Noorazmir Zakaria, when contacted, said the application would be heard before judge Datuk Ahmad Shahrir Mohd Salleh on June 21.
Mujahid claimed that on October 16 last year, PAS with malicious intent had defamed and humiliated him in an article on Facebook titled “Mantan Menteri Agama PH Sokong LGBT?” (Former PH religious minister supports LGBT?).
He claimed that the article, posted along with his picture, implied that he allowed, supported, and accepted the community.
Mujahid said the defamatory article had caused him to suffer emotional stress, in addition to damaging his reputation and credibility as a former religious minister in the Prime Minister’s Department.
He is seeking an order for PAS to withdraw and delete the article, as well as general, aggravated and exemplary damages.
Through its statement of defence, PAS argued that the plaintiff’s statement of claim is flawed and invalid, as the plaintiff failed to name the offender who had control over and decided to publish the article in question. – Bernama, April 13, 2023
