KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 29): In the ongoing suit by DAP chief Lim Guan Eng against Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali over allegations of “arrogant” leadership style and abuse of power, the Bersatu leader has denied uttering any defamatory words against Lim.

In his statement of defence seen by The Edge, Azmin, who was former minister of investment, trade & industry (Miti), denied making any such comments against Lim in the run-up to the 15th general election (GE15) last November.

“[I] vehemently deny that [I] had [made slanderous] comments against [Lim] in any event during the GE15 campaign or that I uttered the words as pleaded by [Lim],” Azmin said in the court document filed on Monday (Sept 25).

Lim, a former finance minister, filed the suit in April over Azmin’s statements made during a “dialogue session” held in Lunas, Kedah in the run-up to GE15. The Perikatan Nasional information chief (Azmin)’s comments were subsequently published in the media.

Azmin, who was also former Selangor menteri besar, alleged that Lim’s “arrogant” style of leadership had scared the business community when Lim helmed the Ministry of Finance (MOF). Azmin also allegedly said that the Bagan Member of Parliament (Lim) had used the Inland Revenue Board (IRB) “to chase down” companies linked to MCA.
 

Even if he was to have uttered the comments, Azmin who is also the Hulu Kelang assemblyman, said that they were justified, fair comments, and cannot be said to be defamatory.

Azmin added that he had attended several election-related events on that day and was not aware of the press’ attendance at that time. He said that he delivered his speech in Bahasa Malaysia and was not responsible for the media’s interpretation of his alleged comments.

He said that the comments merely highlighted what was common knowledge because MCA were DAP’s political rivals, adding that the comments were made based on Lim’s own statements regarding MCA.

It has to be noted that both parties (MCA and DAP) are now part of the government coalition.

Azmin then highlighted several of Lim’s statements. For example, Lim’s comments made in Parliament on Oct 12, 2019 regarding allocation for the Tunku Abdul Rahman University College (TAR UC).

Lim had allegedly said the allocation for the MCA-linked higher learning institute was reduced from RM5.5 million to RM1 million in 2018. In reply to MCA leader Wee Ka Siong’s query, Lim said that if MCA was to disassociate from TAR, the institute would then be given RM30 million for that year.

Lim was finance minister with the Pakatan Harapan government from May 2018 till Feb 2020.

Azmin added that the public had a right to know matters of public interest because Lim’s alleged actions were a form of “selective persecution” against companies linked to MCA.

Azmin also added that Lim was not impacted negatively or suffer any loss due to the alleged comments because Lim had won the Bagan parliamentary seat and his party retained the Chinese votes.

Lim retained his Bagan parliamentary seat in GE15, clinching 62.4% of the votes in a four corner fight. His majority was 49,648 votes.

In his suit, Lim, who is also Air Putih assemblyman, claimed that the statements implied that he had intimidated the Malaysian business community during his tenure as then finance minister, and that he had utilised governmental departments like the IRB to impose pressure on private companies.

He claimed that the statements were “vicious lies devoid of any factual substance”, and that they had disparaged his personal and professional standing.

Lim is seeking, among others, general damages, including aggravated and exemplary damages. He is also seeking a court order for Azmin to retract his comments and make an apology.

Lim is represented by Messrs Simon Murali & Co, while Azmin is represented by Messrs Sasha Lyna & Partners.

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