Azri disrespected king by attacking me, IGP says in court filing

Azri disrespected king by attacking me, IGP says in court filing

KUALA LUMPUR: Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Razarudin Husain has claimed that attacks by Wan Azri Wan Deris, better known as Papagomo, directed at him in the discharge of his official duties, was a show of disrespect to the king.

In a reply filed to Azri’s defence, Razarudin said his rank makes him a public officer under Article 132 of the Federal Constitution and that he holds his position at the pleasure of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

Razarudin is suing Azri for defamation over statements made in videos posted on YouTube and TikTok on Dec 26 last year and shared across various other social media platforms.

“Any unwarranted attack on the plaintiff (Razarudin) is a sign of disrespect to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong,” he said in the filing lodged by solicitors KB Tan, Kumar and Partners last week.

Razarudin contends that Article 10 of the constitution, which guarantees free speech, does not give Azri unfettered discretion to commit libel or slander.

DISYORKAN UNTUK ANDA :

Selepas Tengku Maimun, Mantan Presiden Majlis Peguam Pula Kecam Kerajaan Perpaduan

He also said Azri’s defence to the lawsuit brought by him was no more than a bare denial and that his defences of justification and fair comment cannot stand as his comments were laced with malice.

Razarudin said the public statements he made about Azri were based on a police investigation.

He denied that the statements had tarnished Azri’s image, claiming that Azri did not have a good reputation or worthy employment to begin with.

“He (Azri) was being investigated for cheating under Section 420 of the Penal Code. The plaintiff did not claim that the defendant was a scammer nor make any statement to that effect,” he added.

Razarudin said that as a law enforcement agency, the police is only tasked with conducting investigations. Any decision as to whether to bring charges lies with the public prosecutor.

DISYORKAN UNTUK ANDA :

Apakah Kerajaan Akan Terus Memanjangkan Isu Titah Adendum Di Mahkamah?

The IGP also denied being a lackey of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, as claimed by Azri.

He acknowledged that Azri was entitled to criticise the government, but said the criticism must be honest, constructive and made in good faith.

“The plaintiff (Razarudin) is not a politician but a civil servant or a holder of a public office who has no political interest nor political affiliation,” Razarudin said.

He added that as IGP, he was answerable to the administration of the day, regardless of which political party forms the government.

Azri, who has denied tarnishing Razarudin’s reputation, is relying on the defences of justification and fair comment to contest the suit.

DISYORKAN UNTUK ANDA :

Muafakat Nasional 2.0 Akan Di Gerakkan Semula Selepas 6 Januari?

In his defence statement filed last month, Azri said Razarudin, a public officer entrusted with national security and public order, must be open to public criticism.

He said that as a public officer, Razarudin was expected to be accountable and transparent, and display good governance.

In his statement of claim, Razarudin alleged that Azri had used derogatory terms to describe him and had falsely linked him to Anwar.

He is seeking general, special, aggravated and exemplary damages as well as an injunction to prevent Azri from making or republishing such statements, either by himself or through persons associated with him.

Razarudin also wants Azri to apologise and withdraw his allegedly defamatory statements from all social media accounts as well as in the mass and online media, wherever they have been published.

The High Court last month issued an interlocutory injunction in favour of Razarudin and ordered that Azri remove several allegedly defamatory postings about the IGP from social media pending the outcome of the suit.

Razarudin yesterday also obtained an ex-parte order to cite Azri for contempt.