Defamation suit: 'Refer to the lawyers', Sanusi tells Mahfuz

ALOR SETAR - Kedah Pakatan Harapan (PH) chairman Datuk Mahfuz Omar is asked to refer to lawyers handling the case, on the compensation payment process of the defamation suit instead of asking via a video recording uploaded on social media.

Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor described Mahfuz's action as seeking cheap publicity, whereby the case was handled by lawyers appointed by both parties.

He said all matters, including the compensation payment amounting to RM120,000 claimed by Mahfuz, will be handled by the lawyer.

"Everything regarding the defamation suit, affidavit, or defences is handled by the lawyers. I'm not directly handling this with him (Mahfuz).

"From the beginning, all these were handled by my and Mahfuz's lawyers, from the trial stage until it was completed. So it is not right for Mahfuz to act on his own," he told Sinar Harian on Tuesday.

Muhammad Sanusi, who is also Kedah Perikatan Nasional chairman also advised Mahfuz to be patient, as the legal process for the payment of compensation usually takes some time.

"My advice is to be patient and refer to my lawyer. I will ask my lawyer to manage the payment process, and this will be dealt with between both lawyers, not me or Mahfuz," he added.

Muhammad Sanusi also lambasted Mahfuz's action to seek compensation via a video recording that was uploaded on his Twitter account, citing it as a move to tarnish his name.

"This is a political tactic similar to the 60s, not suitable to be played in the current generation where the people are smart and know how to judge," he added.

On April 3, the Court dismissed Sanusi's appeal and instead approved Mahfuz's application to increase the compensation amount from RM50,000 to RM120,000.

Mahfuz filed the suit on Oct 9, 2019, over a post made by Sanusi on his Facebook account on July 30 the same year, linking Mahfuz to Sports Toto gambling premises, which were relocated to the Pokok Sena area.