PM seeks apology from Muhyiddin over RM15m allegation
The Pakatan Harapan chairperson has also given a three-day ultimatum for Muhyiddin to retract the alleged defamatory TikTok upload - as well as to issue a written undertaking not to repeat the allegation.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has given Perikatan Nasional chairperson Muhyiddin Yassin three days to make an unqualified apology over the latter’s allegation that the former received RM15 million for serving as Selangor’s economic adviser.
The Pakatan Harapan chairperson has also given a three-day ultimatum for Muhyiddin to retract the alleged defamatory TikTok upload - as well as to issue a written undertaking not to repeat the allegation.
Anwar sought these, among others, in a letter of demand issued to the Bersatu president this afternoon.
Anwar’s counsel Sankara Nair confirmed with Malaysiakini that the legal letter was posted and delivered by hand today.
The Tambun MP’s letter of demand was over Muhyiddin’s statement purportedly made during the PN Grand Finale Ceramah on Dec 5, in the run-up to the Padang Serai election.
On Dec 7, the Selangor Menteri Besar’s office refuted Muhyiddin’s claims, adding that Anwar was only paid a symbolic RM1 per month during the advisory stint.
According to the letter of demand, Anwar claimed that the Dec 5 ceramah containing the allegation was uploaded to TikTok.
The finance minister alleged that the allegation was untrue and made in bad faith.
According to the legal letter, Anwar also seeks “substantive and consequential” damages from the former premier over the aggravated injury allegedly faced the former’s reputation.
Anwar gave Muhyiddin a three-day ultimatum to fulfil the demands, to be calculated from the day of receipt of the letter of demand.
Anwar added that in the event that Muhyiddin fails to fulfil the demands within the period stipulated, then the former would direct his lawyers to initiate legal action in court against the latter.
Malaysiakini is attempting to reach out to Muhyiddin over the matter.
In 2011, then-Sungai Burung assemblyperson Mohd Khir Toyo posed a question in the Selangor legislative assembly to seek details on the cost of maintaining Anwar's position, while noting that the latter's salary was "RM1 per month".
Following this, the Selangor government replied that between January and June 2011, the economic adviser's office had spent RM258,162.
The state assembly was also told that none of Anwar's trips abroad from November 2009 when he was appointed up until July 2011 involved state funds.
Continued after Azmin took over
When Azmin Ali took over as menteri besar in 2014, Anwar continued to serve as the state economic adviser.
During the same state assembly meeting, then-Seri Serdang assemblyperson Mohamad Satim Diman asked what impact Anwar had brought through his role.
The state government replied that Anwar's views were incorporated in land management reforms regarding temporary land occupation rights.
"Through this new method, the rakyat only need to pay an RM1,000 processing fee to continue residing on the land and receive ownership, whereas, during the previous administration, they would have paid tens of thousands of ringgit," said the state government.
