ALOR STAR – Although being outspoken is a respectable trait, arguments must be made based on facts and merit, said former Pokok Sena MP Datuk Mahfuz Omar about his political rival Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor.
“I saw his Facebook post, and I accept his apology with an open mind and heart. I hope he learns from this,” Mahfuz told The Vibes.
He also hopes that the campaigning for the upcoming state election here will be based on facts and not on misinformation involving race and religion.
Mahfuz added that Pakatan Harapan, which is part of the federal government as well as the state opposition, should be criticised for any policy oversight, rather than on matters about race and religion alone.
Last month, the Court of Appeal ordered Sanusi to pay increased damages of RM120,000 to Mahfuz for defamation after the bench allowed Mahfuz’s cross-appeal for the quantum of damages to be increased from RM50,000.
Sanusi also had to pay RM10,000 in legal costs.
In November 2021, high court judicial commissioner Datuk Mohd Arief Emran Arifin allowed Mahfuz’s defamation suit and ordered Sanusi to pay RM50,000 in damages to the Amanah lawmaker.
The judicial commissioner also granted an injunction order to restrain Sanusi or his agents from further publishing defamatory words against Mahfuz.
Mahfuz filed the suit on October 9, 2019, over a post made by Sanusi on his Facebook account on July 30 of the same year linking Mahfuz as the Pokok Sena MP to the transfer of a Sports Toto outlet to the area.
Mahfuz also claimed that the Kedah menteri besar posted a 7min 57sec video on his Facebook account on July 27, 2019, which showed a group of individuals protesting the opening of a Sports Toto outlet in Pokok Sena while holding a banner bearing Mahfuz’s name. – The Vibes, May 20, 2023
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