Azman mulls taking legal action against minister

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Azman (fourth left) shows reporters the police report that he lodged on Oct 4.

KUCHING: Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) member Datuk Seri Dr Azman Samaon is considering legal action against a federal minister, said to have intentionally tarnished his image in a text message shared via a party WhatsApp group channel in early September.

The federal minister is said to have accused Azman of committing various crimes such as peddling drugs in Sarawak, printing and distributing counterfeit money, counterfeiting government documents to obtain tender projects and working closely with the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) to cover up criminal activities.

“These were all shared by the minister (also a Bersatu member) via WhatsApp group ‘Bersatu MPT Team’ in September,” Azman told reporters here yesterday, adding that he and his legal advisors are still gathering evidence for the filing of a defamation lawsuit against the federal minister.

The WhatsApp message, he pointed out, went viral on various social media platforms on Oct 4 – prompting him to lodge a report at Gita police station at 10.30am on the same day.

“The police and the MCMC (Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission) will investigate the case,” he said, stressing that the police report and the calling of the press conference yesterday had nothing to do with Bersatu.

“This is a dispute between two individuals.”

According to Azman, the message posted by the federal minister on WhatsApp had tarnished his image and reputation as a Bersatu member, and also his credibility as the leader in 16 non-governmental organisations.