31-7-2023 (KUALA LUMPUR) In a bid to contain the influence of Sanusi Md Nor, the popular opposition leader from the Perikatan Nasional (PN) coalition, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has obtained an interim court order. This order prohibits Sanusi, the caretaker chief minister of Kedah and PN’s national election director, from making defamatory statements against PM Anwar ahead of the crucial state elections scheduled for August 12.
The Alor Setar High Court Judge, Mahazan Mat Taib, granted the interim injunction sought by Datuk Seri Anwar to prevent Sanusi from repeating, uttering, and publishing any defamatory remarks against the premier during rallies, events, interviews, and media publications. The court order was served to Sanusi’s lawyers on Monday, as confirmed by Datuk Sankara Nair, PM Anwar’s lawyer.
The state of Kedah, along with five other Malaysian states, is gearing up for simultaneous polls to elect state governments on August 12. The upcoming elections will witness a head-to-head competition between PM Anwar’s Pakatan Harapan and Barisan Nasional alliance against Sanusi’s PN coalition.
As per the court order, Sanusi is required to comply with the interim injunction upon being served a copy. It restricts him, his employees, and agents from making any defamatory statements until the defamation lawsuit filed by Mr. Anwar against Sanusi in late 2022 has been fully heard. Mr. Sankara emphasized that any breach of the injunction could lead to legal proceedings for contempt of court against Sanusi.
The defamation lawsuit filed by PM Anwar accuses Sanusi of making defamatory statements during the last year’s general election. In response, Sanusi defended his remarks, stating that he had no malicious intent and did not slander Mr. Anwar but merely criticized him. However, despite the pending lawsuit, Sanusi allegedly continued making similar defamatory statements at two PN rallies in Negeri Sembilan on March 18 and in Selangor on July 11.
Sanusi, known for drawing significant crowds to his political rallies through his straightforward criticisms of the government, has recently faced various issues. He was charged with two counts of sedition under the Sedition Act on July 18 for remarks allegedly insulting Selangor’s ruler. Additionally, he has been implicated in a scandal involving the theft of rare earth elements in the state, as alleged by the unity government.
