PAS says helping Mastura settle defamation suit to avoid by-election

PAS says helping Mastura settle defamation suit to avoid by-election

PETALING JAYA: PAS is raising funds to settle a defamation suit that Kepala Batas MP Siti Mastura Muhammad lost because the party wants to prevent a by-election for the seat.

Penang PAS information chief Fawwaz Jan said the donation drive launched following the successful suit filed by three DAP leaders, was to avoid incurring higher costs for a by-election, Berita Harian reported.

Mastura could face bankruptcy proceedings if she does not pay the RM825,000 judgment sum, resulting in her disqualification as an MP and a possible by-election in Kepala Batas.

“We are aware that if the fine is not paid, a bankruptcy notice will be filed against Mastura,” Fawwaz was quoted as saying.

“If declared bankrupt, Mastura cannot remain as an MP. She will lose her seat and a by-election will have to be held.

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“Considering the cost of a by-election, we decided to pay the fine. We just want to avoid a by-election that will take up a lot of our resources,” the Permatang Pauh MP added.

On Dec 4, Mastura lost a defamation suit brought by DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang, his son, Guan Eng, and Seputeh MP Teresa Kok over her remarks linking them to the late Communist Party of Malaya leader, Chin Peng, in a speech while campaigning for the Kemaman by-election in 2023.

The George Town High Court ordered her to pay RM300,000 in damages to Kit Siang, RM250,000 to Guan Eng and RM200,000 to Kok. Mastura was also ordered to pay costs of RM25,000 to each of the trio.

On Dec 23, PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan said the party’s top brass had decided that PAS must “share the responsibility of settling this claim” as Mastura was only fulfilling her responsibility as a PAS leader when she made the remarks during the Kemaman by-election campaign.

In a letter, Takiyuddin said central committee members and PAS branches must each contribute at least RM500, while state chapters as well as wings at federal, state, and division levels are required to raise a minimum of RM20,000 each.

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The George Town High Court has fixed Jan 23 to decide whether it should grant Mastura a stay of execution.

The stay of execution hearing will determine whether Mastura can delay payment while pursuing further legal recourse.