SEPANG, May 5 — DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke has dismissed allegations linking him to the disbursement of large funds to an allegedly illegal entity, and tensions involving Negeri Sembilan’s royal institution, as “serious slander”, confirming that a police report has been lodged.

The Seremban Member of Parliament said the report was filed by his political secretary, Ho Weng Wah, against activist Badrul Hisham Shaharin, also known as Chegubard, over his Facebook posts, at the Seremban Police headquarters yesterday.

“He (Chegubard) is trying to link me by claiming I channelled funds to parties seeking to create trouble or stir issues involving the Undang institution in Negeri Sembilan. This is a serious slander,” he said when asked after launching the Express Rail Link’s (ERL) MyKLIA Monthly TravelCard (MTC) and MyPutrajaya MTC initiatives at KLIA Terminal 2 (T2) here today.

In a statement earlier, Loke, who is also Transport Minister, reiterated that DAP fully backs Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun to continue leading the state government and rejects any proposal to replace him at this time.

He said that the party remains committed to upholding the constitutional monarchy and ensuring that any related issues are handled in an orderly manner in accordance with the federal and state constitutions. — Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR, May 4 — A defamation suit filed by former natural resources and environmental sustainability minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad against activist cum blogger Badrul Hisham Shaharin has been resolved after the latter issued a public apology at the High Court here today.

Badrul Hisham, better known as Chegubard, read out the consent judgment, acknowledging that his allegations against Nik Nazmi were false and baseless.

“I withdraw all allegations against Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad. I sincerely apologise to him for the embarrassment, hardship and distress caused.

“I undertake not to repeat or publish any further statements or allegations on the same matter or of a similar nature,” he said.

The blogger also agreed to remove all disputed statements and related links from his social media accounts and relevant websites.

Judge Gan Techiong then recorded the consent judgment in accordance with the agreed terms of settlement.

“Under this order, the defendant must publish a video apology on any of his social media accounts within 24 hours. Please comply to avoid contempt of court,” the judge said.

Earlier, counsel Razlan Hadri Zulkifli, representing Nik Nazmi, informed the court that both parties had reached a settlement and agreed to the consent judgment, which was confirmed by defence counsel Zolazrai Zolkapli.

Speaking to reporters after the proceedings, Nik Nazmi said he did not wish to prolong the matter and accepted the apology.

Nik Nazmi filed the suit on Jan 15, 2024, alleging that Badrul Hisham had posted five defamatory statements on his Facebook account, “Che GuBard”, on December 20 and 29, 2023, concerning a flood mitigation project.

The plaintiff claimed the statements suggested he had lied about an open tender process and alleged corruption in the project, which was said to have driven costs up to RM16.6 billion.

“The defendant acted maliciously to damage my credibility and image as a politician, leading to public criticism and suspicion among my constituents. My personal and professional reputation has been affected,” he said in his statement of claim. — Bernama

 

SEREMBAN, May 4 — The political secretary to Transport Minister Anthony Loke today lodged a police report against Badrul Hisham Shaharin, better known as Chegubard, over a social media post allegedly containing defamatory remarks against Loke involving the Undang institution in Negeri Sembilan.

The report was lodged by Ho Weng Wah at the Seremban District Police Headquarters at noon following a Facebook post by Chegubard titled “Anthony Loke must be investigated for funding an illegal entity – Majlis Dato Lembaga Adat Sungei Ujong.”

“The post contains allegations that Transport Minister Loke Siew Fook had channelled a substantial amount of funds to an entity claimed to be illegal and links the matter to disturbances involving the royal institution in this state.

“The statement and post made by the individual are also believed to touch on sensitive 3R issues (race, religion and royalty), which could potentially incite tension and divide the community,” he told reporters here today.

Ho said firm action must be taken to curb the spread of false information and defamatory content, particularly those involving sensitive 3R issues, in order to safeguard national harmony and stability.

He added that the police should investigate the post, which is believed to have violated several legal provisions, including Sections 505 and 499 of the Penal Code as well as Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998. — Bernama