Anthony showing the papers filed against the political activist.
KOTA KINABALU: Former Sabah infrastructure development minister Datuk Peter Anthony has filed a RM100mil lawsuit against a local political activist for allegedly defaming him over social media.
Anthony, who is also the Parti KDM president, said his lawyer had filed the lawsuit against Datuk Zulkarnain Mahdar on Monday (Oct 7).
He claimed Zulkarnain, who is Gerakan Kuasa Rakyat Malaysia (G57) chairman, had made defamatory statements against him on TikTok, alleging he was unfit to become the then state minister while still being a Class A contractor and also entangled in corruption.
He said these allegations had tarnished his position and reputation.
“It is known that one must resign from all positions or interests involving the government or agencies if wanting to contest (in an election),” he told reporters in Penampang near here on Wednesday (Oct 8).
“I have resigned from all my business roles since 2017 and this can be verified through the records of the Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM) and the Registrar of Societies Malaysia (ROS), clearly indicating that these allegations are unfounded,” the Melalap assemblyman said.
Anthony said Zulkarnain had also allegedly attempted to implicate him in the water supply problem faced currently in Sabah as a result of his decision as the then state infrastucture development minister under the Parti Warisan-led state government to terminate the contracts of water concessionaires.
“But this was a ministry decision after we brought it up to the state Cabinet then for approval,” he said, adding this had saved millions of ringgit for the state.
“So, this had portrayed me as someone who is dishonest or was involved in unethical practices,” he added.
When contacted, Zulkarnain said he was ready to face Anthony in court.
He said he only wanted the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to investigate the cancellation of the water concessions as the Chief Minister had contended this was the reason for the present water supply issues.
