LFL director Zaid Malek said it was “appalling and undemocratic” that Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s political secretary had lodged a police report alleging defamation in the first place.
“It is unlawful, unconstitutional and tyrannical for the prime minister or any minister to rely on enforcement authorities to clamp down on any speech that ‘creates a negative perception’ of their leadership, as claimed by Anwar’s political secretary,” Zaid said in a statement today.
“If Anwar or anyone in the government feels they have been defamed, there is recourse in the civil courts that is available to clear their name.
“In our democracy, the prime minister has no special status under the law that sets him apart from ordinary citizens. It is unlawful for him to utilise the police to defend his reputation.”
Zaid asked Anwar if he remembered how Pakatan Harapan members were on the receiving end of similar police investigations for criticising Najib Razak when Najib was the prime minister.
He urged Anwar to direct his aide to withdraw the police report immediately and to take the matter to the civil courts. “Meanwhile, the police must halt any criminal investigation for the alleged defamatory statements immediately,” he said.
Kamil Abdul Munim, a political secretary to Anwar, had lodged the police report against Muhyiddin over the Bersatu president’s claims that the government was misusing enforcement agencies for political persecution.
Muhyiddin, the Perikatan Nasional chairman, had repeated these claims following the corruption charges brought against him in court. Two other Bersatu leaders have also been charged in relation to the Jana Wibawa initiative.
Putrajaya police later said an investigation had begun into defamation and improper use of network facilities.
Yesterday, Putrajaya police chief Asmadi Abdul Aziz said Muhyiddin will be summoned to give his statement.
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