[UPDATED] Defamation suit: Anwar’s ex-aide targets Wan Fayhsal for RM10 mil

KUALA LUMPUR – The former political secretary to Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Datuk Farhash Wafa Salvador Rizal Mubarak, is seeking damages of RM10 million from Bersatu Youth chief Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal for defamation.

A writ of summons and statement of claim were filed on January 22 in the high court by law firm Messrs Ahmad Deniel, Ruben & Co. Farhash accused the Machang MP of making defamatory statements about him on November 14, 2023

Farhash, the plaintiff, accused Wan Fayhsal of giving the impression that Farshah colluded with an individual named “Datuk Botak” to secure support for the prime minister in Parliament through bribery and threats to other MPs.

“The slanderous statement prejudices and degrades my professional character, leadership, reputation, and credibility.

“This was also shared on multiple social media platforms, including Parlimen Malaysia’s official YouTube account, TikTok, and WhatsApp. It is uncalled for because I left the political scene a long time ago.

“As the chairman and director of several publicly listed companies such as 7-Eleven Malaysia Holdings Bhd and Apex Equity Holdings Bhd, this is also distressing and embarrassing for me,” he said in the writ.

Aside from the compensatory damages totaling RM10 million, he is also seeking compensation for general, severe, and exemplary damages from Wan Fayhsal.

It was previously reported that the Bersatu Youth chief had identified two people who he claimed allegedly enticed opposition MPs to support Anwar as prime minister: Farhash and a “Datuk Botak”.

He claimed the duo appeared in a video that was circulating on Facebook and TikTok, with “Datuk Botak” bringing and threatening MPs to support Anwar.

Wan Fayhsal also said the video explained Farhash’s role in the matter.

Following this, the former PKR leader, Farhash, lodged a police report and subsequently filed a defamation suit. – March 8, 2024