Court dismisses Mukhriz’s suit against ex-DAP leader over ‘secret pact’

High Court rules that former DAP leader Tunku Aziz Tunku Ibrahim did not defame PPBM deputy president Mukhriz Mahathir in his claims of a ‘secret pact’ to make Mukhriz prime minister.

(FMT) – The High Court here today dismissed PPBM deputy president Mukhriz Mahathir’s lawsuit against former DAP vice-chairman Tunku Aziz Tunku Ibrahim over claims of a “secret pact” to make Mukhriz the next prime minister.

Justice Nordin Hassan ruled that Tunku Aziz had not defamed Mukhriz in his two press statements dated Dec 30, 2016 and Jan 3, 2017, and ordered Mukhriz to pay costs of RM15,000.

“The court found that the statements made by the defendant did not ridicule Mukhriz,” he said, adding that Mukhriz had failed to prove his case against Tunku Aziz.

Nordin also said Tunku Aziz’s statements had not attacked Mukhriz’s integrity as a politician.

Mukhriz sued Tunku Aziz last year over the former DAP leader’s claim that there was a “secret pact” to push for Mukhriz as prime minister and DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang as deputy prime minister.

In his suit, he sought damages as well as an apology from Tunku Aziz.

Mukhriz’s father, Dr Mahathir Mohamad, previously testified saying he had never pushed his son to follow in his footsteps and become prime minister.

Mukhriz was reappointed as Kedah menteri besar after the May 9 general election, while Mahathir became prime minister for the second time.

Lawyer Haniff Khatri Abdulla, who is representing Mukhriz, said he would wait for instructions on whether to appeal against the dismissal of the lawsuit.