KUALA LUMPUR – A Facebook post by Umno Supreme Council member Datuk Mohd Puad Zarkashi has resulted in a letter of demand from Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
The post in question, titled “Two classes of quarantine”, was alleged to be defamatory by Muhyiddin, who is also Bersatu president.
One of the assertions made in the post concerns a gazetted ordinance stating that ministers returning from overseas trips only need to go through a three-day quarantine, as opposed to the normal 10 days.
Puad allegedly suggested that the rule was made because Muhyiddin refused to be quarantined after an overseas trip from Jakarta.
He had also asked if there was a commotion at Subang Airport between Health Ministry officials and Muhyiddin’s entourage, who refused to be quarantined for ten days.
The letter of demand, issued by Rosli Dahlan Saravana Partnership, said that the statements made therein were defamatory and implied that Muhyiddin had abused his power to obtain preferential treatment.
The letter also explained that the Prime Minister’s Office had clarified Muhyiddin was required to undergo observation, home surveillance, and be fitted with a surveillance bracelet after his return.
Reference was also made to the fact that numerous media companies reported Puad’s statements.
Among other things, Puad was requested to remove the post, issue a public apology, provide a written undertaking that he would refrain from making similar posts against their client, and pay a compensation of RM10 million.
Puad was also warned that if he fails to comply with the requests within seven days, legal action would be taken against him. – The Vibes, February 16, 2021
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