Amanah vice-chief Mujahid sues PAS for defamation
Amanah vice-chief Mujahid Yusof Rawa has hauled PAS to court through a defamation suit over allegations that he supported the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community.
The plaintiff’s counsel from law firm Akram Hizri Azad & Azmir filed the writ of summons at the Kuala Lumpur High Court on Dec 15 last year.
Mujahid’s civil action is over a Facebook posting dated Oct 16 last year, which made reference to his tenure as then minister in the Prime Minister's Department in charge of religious affairs during the Mahathir Mohamad-led Harapan administration.
The Harapan administration under Mahathir lasted from May 2018 to February 2020.
According to the cause papers seen by Malaysiakini, the plaintiff listed Takiyuddin Hassan, in his capacity as PAS secretary-general, as the defendant.
In the statement of claim, Mujahid (above) alleged that Takiyuddin or PAS had maliciously uploaded the online posting in order to jeopardise his dignity.
The plaintiff claimed that the Facebook posting defamed him as he never expressed any support relating to those who are LGBT.
Takiyuddin HassanMujahid contended that during his tenure as minister in charge of religious affairs, he had never at any time prevented the authorities from taking action against LGBT activists or those involved in LGBT activities.
Through the writ of summons, the plaintiff seeks a court order for Takiyuddin or PAS to make an open apology to be published in Bahasa Malaysia local dailies and the party’s Facebook page within 14 days from the date of judgment.
Mujahid is seeking an order to compel them to delete the allegedly defamatory statement as well as his picture from the posting, and an injunction to deter them from further repeating the alleged defamatory statement.
The plaintiff seeks general, exemplary, and aggravated damages, 5 percent annual interest on the awarded compensation from the date of judgment to the date of full settlement, costs, and any other relief deemed fit by the court.
According to the memorandum of service filed by Mujahid’s counsel at the court on Jan 10 this year, copies of the legal action have been served on the defendant at PAS’ headquarters at Jalan Raja Laut, Kuala Lumpur, on Dec 23.
According to a copy of the memorandum of appearance filed on Jan 5 this year, Takiyuddin had entered appearance via counsel from law firm Tengku Amalin & Faizi.
When contacted by Malaysiakini this afternoon, the plaintiff’s counsel Noorazmir Zakaria confirmed that the matter is fixed for case management before the Kuala Lumpur High Court tomorrow.
Previously, a PAS member before being ousted by the party in 2015, Mujahid and several other former members founded Amanah that same year.
Through the writ of summons, the plaintiff seeks a court order for Takiyuddin or PAS to make an open apology to be published in Bahasa Malaysia local dailies and the party’s Facebook page within 14 days from the date of judgment.
Mujahid is seeking an order to compel them to delete the allegedly defamatory statement as well as his picture from the posting, and an injunction to deter them from further repeating the alleged defamatory statement.
The plaintiff seeks general, exemplary, and aggravated damages, 5 percent annual interest on the awarded compensation from the date of judgment to the date of full settlement, costs, and any other relief deemed fit by the court.
According to the memorandum of service filed by Mujahid’s counsel at the court on Jan 10 this year, copies of the legal action have been served on the defendant at PAS’ headquarters at Jalan Raja Laut, Kuala Lumpur, on Dec 23.
According to a copy of the memorandum of appearance filed on Jan 5 this year, Takiyuddin had entered appearance via counsel from law firm Tengku Amalin & Faizi.
When contacted by Malaysiakini this afternoon, the plaintiff’s counsel Noorazmir Zakaria confirmed that the matter is fixed for case management before the Kuala Lumpur High Court tomorrow.
Previously, a PAS member before being ousted by the party in 2015, Mujahid and several other former members founded Amanah that same year.
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