KUALA LUMPUR: Businessman Datuk Seri Farhash Wafa Salvador Rizal Mubarak has filed a RM10 million defamation suit against former economy minister Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli over two videos published on social media that he claims tarnished his reputation.
Farhash, 43, filed the suit on Oct 10 through Messrs Ahmad Deniel, Ruben & Co after Rafizi allegedly failed to apologise for remarks made in the videos uploaded on July 25 and Aug 20 this year.
He is seeking general damages of RM10 million, as well as aggravated, exemplary and punitive damages, and costs from the former PKR deputy president.
Farhash said his ordeal began in July when allegations surfaced that his company, Bumi Suria Sdn Bhd, had obtained a coal mining licence in Sabah.
Both he and the Sabah Land and Surveys Department denied the claims, and Farhash subsequently lodged a police report. He also filed a lawsuit that same month against several media outlets for publishing what he described as false reports.
On Sept 9, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) cleared him of any wrongdoing.
In his statement of claim, Farhash alleged that Rafizi’s first video, titled Tangani Isu Farhash Elak Jadi Beban Lebih Besar Pada Kerajaan and posted on TikTok and YouTube on July 25, was a personal attack intended to portray him negatively and make him a scapegoat due to his previous association with a political leader.
The statement also said Rafizi’s second video, posted on Aug 20 and titled Bukan Ismail Sabri, bukan KJ, allegedly implied that a syringe attack on Rafizi’s son was linked to Farhash, based on information from a source.
On Aug 22, Farhash’s lawyers issued a letter demanding that Rafizi, who is Pandan member of parliament, remove the video and issue a public apology within 48 hours.
Rafizi allegedly failed to comply, claiming instead that he had met a whistleblower who exposed Farhash’s business dealings.
Farhash said the two videos amounted to a malicious and unfounded attack on his reputation and goodwill, resulting in public backlash and reputational damage that left him sidelined, criticised, humiliated and injured in his personal and professional dignity.
He said the accusations had damaged his credibility and caused investors, partners and acquaintances to lose confidence in him, further affecting his business opportunities and future investments.
Farhash said the alleged defamatory statements had caused severe and lasting harm to his reputation and that no amount of clarification or denial could fully repair the damage done.
The New Straits Times has reached out to both Farhash and Rafizi’s lawyers for comment.
Checks on the judiciary system showed that case management has been fixed for Nov 17.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
