No Immunity For Sin Of Slander Muhyiddin Demands Apology From Anwar

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PARLIAMENT | Muhyiddin Yassin (PN-Pagoh) has demanded Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim apologise and retract claims that he had allegedly supported retaining RON95 fuel subsidies for foreigners, calling it “completely untrue”.
Debating the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) in the Dewan Rakyat today, Muhyiddin warned Anwar (Harapan-Tambun) that parliamentary immunity does not spare a person from the sin of slander.
“I’ve made it clear that the statement is completely untrue. I repeat, completely untrue! Search anywhere in cyberspace, and you will not find any statement of that nature made by me.
“That means what Tambun said is clearly slander!
“Even if he claims immunity in this house, Allah SWT does not grant immunity. Slander is haram (illegal) outside, and it is haram inside this house too,” stressed Muhyiddin.
Yesterday, Anwar had ordered MCMC to investigate whether Muhyiddin had made any statement supporting foreigners’ right to subsidised fuel, after the PN chairperson’s initial denial of his statement in the Dewan Rakyat on Tuesday during the Prime Minister’s Question Time.
MCMC later acknowledged the prime minister’s instruction and said they will take immediate action.
‘Just say sorry’
In reiterating his denial, Muhyiddin insisted that Anwar apologise for the claims.
“I would say, maybe as a friend - he (Anwar) is also human, although he holds a high position, I’ve been there too.
“So maybe it was a mistake. It’s not hard for the prime minister to say, ‘Muhyiddin, I was wrong, I apologise.’ Just say that, and it’s settled,” he said.
On the MCMC probe, Muhyiddin revealed that he had received a letter from the internet regulator this morning, summoning him to give a statement.
“The MCMC says they want to record my statement as a witness. I want to ask – has MCMC investigated the prime minister?
“I think this is an abuse of power. This is a personal issue raised by the prime minister against me, but he’s directing MCMC to investigate it. That doesn’t seem right,” he said.
“I’ve already issued my statement. If MCMC calls me in, I’ll just repeat what I’ve said publicly," he stressed.
MCMC ‘should question Anwar first’
In response, Dewan Rakyat speaker Johari Abdul revealed he had also received a letter from the prime minister, instructing MCMC to further investigate the origin of the claim.
“So, Insya-Allah, let’s wait. MCMC will investigate where this portal came from.
Dewan Rakyat speaker Johari Abdul“Maybe there is a portal (reporting that Muhyiddin defended fuel subsidies for foreigners), maybe not. I don’t know,” he said.
Muhyiddin, however, said Johari’s views were “not quite right” as MCMC should have first questioned Anwar on the source of his claims.
“I just want to ask one thing from YB Tambun, with your permission, speaker - just apologise.
“Withdraw the statement. I’m willing, I’ll accept his apology right now.
“But I also want to say this - if Tambun doesn’t apologise, I will bring this to the speaker and refer it to the Rights and Privileges Committee,” he said. - Mkini

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