Bersatu deputy president Mukhriz Mahathir claimed that two articles penned by Tunku Aziz Tunku Ibrahim contained hidden meanings which suggested he was an immoral and unprincipled politician.

He said this to the High Court in Kuala Lumpur after agreeing with Tunku Aziz's lawyer Jahaberdeen Mohd Yunos during cross-examination that the articles did not contain a literal meaning that he was not a sincere politician, backstabbed others and indulged in dirty politics.

Mukhriz is suing Tunku Aziz, a former DAP vice-chairperson, for defamation.

Tunku Aziz (photo) had claimed that Mukhriz's father Dr Mahathir Mohamad is conspiring with DAP leader Lim Kit Siang to make Mukhriz the prime minister and Lim deputy prime minister if Pakatan Harapan wins the coming general election.

Jahabeerdeen: I say the two articles as a whole did not defame you?

Mukhriz: I disagree

Jahaberdeen: Can you show in court which portion of the articles refer that you are part of a secret pact.

Mukhriz: There is none.

Jahaberdeen: Where is the statement that you were involved in a secret plot, power hungry and prepared to do anything to achieve your objective?

Mukhriz: There is none.

Asked which portion of the articles gave the impression that those claims were made, Mukhriz pointed to the paragraphs in question.

Mukhriz also agreed with Jahaberdeen that in late 2016 and early 2017, there was no decision made as to who would be Harapan's chairperson and deputy chairperson, resulting in speculations on the posts.

The two articles in dispute were published in December 2016 and January 2017.

Previously, Mukhriz, in his testimony, conceded that all politicians aspire to rise up the ranks, including to the post of prime minister, but he maintained that his political ascension would not happen through “evil pacts”.

Responding to questions from his counsel Mohd Haniff Khatri Abdulla (photo), Mukhriz argued that although the articles do not mention what he claimed in his suit, there were hidden meanings, as stated in the statement of claim.

“That is to my understanding,” he said.

Citing paragraph four in the first article, Mukhriz said it could be interpreted that there was a secret pact without the knowledge of other Harapan parties.

“There are also such suggestions (as per the statement of claim) in other paragraphs in the two articles,” he claimed.

Mukhriz also claimed that the articles inferred that since he was Mahathir's son, the alleged secret pact would be beneficial to him.

When Mukhriz ended his testimony, Justice Nordin Hassan reminded him and the lawyers not to speak to others, including the media, regarding the case.

“I am reminding the parties (involved), including the lawyers, not to make comments which would affect this case,” the judge said.

The court has fixed Feb 27 for Mahathir to testify.