The religious affairs minister takes issue with statements published by Abu Hafiz Salleh Hudin which allegedly imply he is an arrogant and conceited leader.
PETALING JAYA: Religious affairs minister Na’im Mokhtar has filed a defamation suit against a public university lecturer over alleged defamatory statements posted on social media.
Harian Metro reported that Na’im named Abu Hafiz Salleh Hudin as the defendant in the lawsuit filed at the Shah Alam High Court via Messrs Akberdin & Co on June 14.
The lawsuit relates to defamatory statements allegedly posted by Abu Hafiz on X and Facebook.
In the statement of claim, Na’im said the defendant had shown a consistent pattern in his various public statements since the end of 2024, whether via posts on X or Facebook, or statements published by news portals.
He said the statements had directly or indirectly touched on and attacked him in an unfair and excessive manner.
Na’im claimed that on Feb 5 and May 4, Abu Hafiz had published and reposted defamatory, malicious and untrue statements on the latter’s X account.
He said the statements implied he was an arrogant, hard-headed and conceited leader who rejected advice and was unwilling to accept other views in matters related to religion.
Na’im also said the statements implied he had failed to effectively carry out his duties, even in simple matters, causing the government’s policies and initiatives to become a laughing stock and rejected by a number of MPs.
Na’im said the statements also implied that he was elitist and considered himself superior to other officials, and that he acted contrary to the principles of Islamic leadership.
“It is beyond doubt that the defendant harboured malicious intent towards me. It is also clear that the defendant intended to cause disharmony in society by defaming me,” he said.
Na’im is seeking general, aggravated, and exemplary damages from the defendant, as well as an injunction to have the posts removed and to prevent them from being republished.
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