KUALA LUMPUR: Former finance minister Lim Guan Eng has filed a defamation suit against Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin over the latter's remarks on the revocation of Al-Bukhary Foundation's tax exemption.
Lim, who is Bagan member of parliament, filed the suit via Messr. Guok Partnership at the High Court today and named Muhyiddin, who is Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia president and former prime minister as the sole defendant.
On March 9, Muhyiddin had, in a statement after being investigated by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), alleged that the Pakatan Harapan government had revoked the tax exemption for the foundation.
The Pagoh MP claimed that Lim, during his tenure as the finance minister, was the one responsible for the revocation.
The DAP chairman in his statement of claim said the impugned statement was aimed to achieve cheap publicity and at the same time trying to deflect the public attention by pushing unjustified and false claims against him.
"The contents were published in the defendant's Facebook account and were viewed by many viewers and commented on by many readers.
"This impugned statement depicted the plaintiff had abused his position and power by instructing the Inland Revenue Board to impose tax and penalties on a welfare foundation when such foundation is not liable to be taxed.
"The statement also depicted the plaintiff as racist, anti-Malay and anti-Islam by intentionally targetting Yayasan Al-Bukhary," the statement said.
Lim claimed that the statement also portrayed him as a vindictive person and had acted in bad faith by abusing his power.
"The publication of all the defamatory statements by the defendants have gravely injured plaintiff's reputation as a seasoned and respected politician in this country.
"The impugned statements also caused embarrassment, distress and considerable hurt to the plaintiff's feelings," the statement read.
The statement claimed that the Finance Ministry on March 23 issued a press release and confirmed that neither the ormer finance minister nor its officers had revoked the tax exemption status accorded to Yayasan Al-Bukhary.
Lim said Muhyiddin had acted maliciously when he published the impugned statement to deflect the public attention from the fact that he is facing multiple criminal charges for corruption, abuse of power and money laundering.
"The defendant intentionally uttered statements which may provoke ill-feelings and disharmony among different races and religions in Malaysia.
"The impugned statements have imputed criminality on the plaintiff which tarnished his reputation," the statement claimed.
Lim is seeking a public apology from Muhyiddin and a retraction of all the defamatory statements made against him.
He is also seeking general, aggravated, and punitive damages which is to be assessed and determined by the court.
The plaintiff also wanted the court to issue an injunction to restrain the defendant from issuing or publishing the impugned statements.
Prime Minister Datuk Anwar Ibrahim had previously said that Lim, during his tenure as the finance minister, never revoked Al-Bukhary Foundation's tax exempt status.
Anwar said this was based on records at the ministry, which showed that approval was only given on Feb 25, 2021, in an extraordinary circumstance involving Yayasan Al-Bukhary and the Al-Bukhary Group.