KUALA LUMPUR – Umno Supreme Council member Datuk Mohd Puad Zarkashi has removed a contentious Facebook post, following the high court injunction on Monday.
Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin is suing Puad for defamation after the Umno man asserted that the three-day quarantine rule for ministers returning from overseas was made because Muhyiddin refused to undergo isolation after an overseas trip to Jakarta.
The court on Monday granted Muhyiddin’s ex-parte application for a temporary injunction to stop Puad from publishing the alleged Facebook post or other similar posts.
Yesterday, Puad said he was abiding by the injunction while seeking legal counsel.
“I believe in the judiciary and will defend myself in court. In honouring the court, I will not issue any further statements with respect to the suit.”
On February 16, Muhyiddin issued a letter of demand for Puad to remove the offending 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.
In a Facebook post on February 19, Puad confirmed his 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 the opportunity to join the public in protesting the practice of ‘antara dua darjat’ (double standards) when it comes to quarantine.”
Puad 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 the public interest comes into question. This is because it is clear in Article 8 of the federal constitution 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 5, 2021
