KUALA LUMPUR: Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has rubbished Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's RM200mil defamation claim over the Felda debt waiver issue.
Calling it "merepek" (ridiculous), the Perikatan Nasional chairman said Anwar's lawsuit would be an abuse of court process if filed in court.
This was stated in Muhyiddin's reply to Anwar's letter of demand (LOD) dated July 21 through law firm Messrs SN Nair & Partners.
In Muhyiddin's reply, filed through Rosli Dahlan Saravana Partnership dated July 24, the former prime minister and Bersatu president remained steadfast and denied all allegations in Anwar's July 21 letter.
Muhyiddin's letter stated that it was clear that Anwar was mistaken in the Felda debt waiver issue where a document and a press release by the Finance Ministry (both dated July 20) were on sukuk and not the Felda debt waiver.
"Your client (Anwar) still refuses to retract the defamatory statement and tries to twist the issue," the letter said.
The law firm also said that it has instructions to proceed with legal action against Anwar.
On July 18, Muhyiddin sent a LOD to Anwar, seeking an apology and retraction for claiming he did not implement a debt waiver scheme for Felda settlers.
Muhyiddin's LOD gave Anwar 24 hours to comply, failing which his lawyers would begin a defamation lawsuit against the Prime Minister.
Muhyiddin also demanded that Anwar make an unconditional, public and written apology on his Facebook account and as well as other platforms.
Anwar's reply dated July 21 said it was a "misconception" by Muhyiddin when he presumed that the he did not respond to his demands within the 24 hours given when he had responded via a media statement on Facebook dated July 20.
"It is irrelevant in law or in procedure on whether the response was made through a Facebook post, or through solicitors, or both.
"Therefore, it is a misconception and an action with bad intent by your client when he stated to the media that our client did not respond to his allegations," said Anwar in his LOD.
In his LOD, Anwar demanded an apology and RM200mil in damages as well as for Muhyiddin to retract his LOD and all the statements he deemed defamatory as well as legal costs.
Anwar is giving Muhyiddin 24 hours to comply with his demands, failing which he would initiate legal action against the Pagoh MP.
