Muhyiddin, who is suing Puad for defamation, said the PMO issued an official statement on Feb 9, disputing a claim that Muhyiddin had refused to undergo mandatory Covid-19 quarantine.
The statement sought to dispute Puad’s claim and clarify the facts of the matter, including that Muhyiddin underwent home quarantine after returning from an official visit to Jakarta, he said in his witness statement.
Puad, who is now the Johor state assembly speaker, is alleged to have defamed Muhyiddin in a Facebook post dated Feb 9, 2021, titled “Kuarantin pun ada dua darjat?” (“Are there double standards for quarantine?”)
Cross-examined by Puad’s lawyer, G Rajasingam, Muhyiddin said he asked for an apology through the PMO, but denied it was a warning to the Umno Supreme Council member.
Muhyiddin also admitted that Puad’s allegation was serious, but said that he did not lodge a police report.
He also agreed with Rajasingam’s assertion that Puad’s social media post, which was republished by three news portals, only presented the defendant’s queries on the matter.
Muhyiddin also agreed with Rajasingam that the media reports did not imply he had misused his position, refused to be quarantined or had thrown a tantrum at the Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah airport in Subang upon his return.
Muhyiddin filed the defamation suit in his personal capacity on March 1, 2021, after his letter of demand to Puad, seeking a removal of the post, a public apology and RM10 million compensation, was not fulfilled.
He is seeking general, exemplary and aggravated damages from Puad.
The hearing before Justice Hayatul Akmal Abdul Aziz continues tomorrow.
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