He said it was ironic that the former prime minister’s son had resorted to suing him.
“It is his father Tun Mahathir who always claims that the law is being used to silence critics of Prime Minister Najib Razak,” Tengku Sariffuddin said in a statement uploaded on the Prime Minister’s Facebook page yesterday.
On Monday, Mukhriz filed a civil claim against Tengku Sariffuddin seeking damages for loss of reputation for alleged defamation.
Stressing that he was unperturbed by the legal suit, Tengku Sariffuddin said he was looking forward to discussing the matter in court.
“Their legal action shows that I have hit a nerve. It is understandable that Mukhriz is emotionally distressed that for once his father has failed to get his way,” he added.
Stressing that he did not make any wild allegations, Tengku Sariffuddin said his opinions were “fair comment” based on the actions by Dr Mahathir, Mukhriz and ousted Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin who led a failed campaign to unseat Najib.
“They (Dr Mahathir, Mukhriz and Muhyiddin) were interested parties, and I believe motivated by ambition and desire for power.
“Many think that Tun Mahathir wanted Tan Sri Muhyiddin to be his proxy prime minister, with Mukhriz as deputy prime minister until he was ready to take over,” Tengku Sariffuddin added.
He said Dr Mahathir was aware that there was a much faster way than the courts to stop speculation pertaining to his motivation to replace Najib.
“All he (Dr Mahathir) needs to do is state who he wants instead as prime minister and deputy prime minister.
“His (Dr Mahathir’s) consistent failure to answer this one simple question betrays the truth: the objective of Tun Mahathir’s Anti-Najib Campaign is to pave the way for his son,” said Tengku Sariffuddin, adding that his statements were fair and without malice.
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