Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein has claimed that Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had ill intentions in uttering malicious words at a press conference in connection with a sex video featuring someone resembling the opposition leader.
Hishammudin said the words which were later widely reported in the media and the Internet, were not published in good faith and that the main motive of Anwar was to injure his (Hishammuddin's) reputation as a minister and politician.
In his reply to Anwar's statement of defence filed on June 1 (a copy of which was made available to the media today), Hishammuddin said that Anwar was indifferent to the falsity of words spoken.
He contended that the tone of language used by Anwar was reckless without any care whether the aspersions that were cast on him were true or false.
Hishammuddin further said the words were not factual, pure conjecture and grossly inaccurate. Therefore, he wants the statement of defence filed by Anwar on May 16 to be struck out.
In his reply to Anwar's counter-claim, Hishammuddin said the words uttered by him (Hishammuddin) relating to the sex video were made in discharging his public duties as Home Minister to the public, who had a corresponding and a legitimate interest in receiving the same.
He also denied any misuse or malfeasance of his position or office or any action which was contrary to his duties and responsiblities and that he was asking the court to dismiss the counter-claim.
On April 26, Hishammuddin had filed a defamation suit against Anwar for uttering defamatory words against him during an interview with the media on March 22 after Anwar had lodged a report on the video at the Dang Wangi police here.
Hishammuddin, 50, said the words were understood to mean that he was responsible for screening the video to a group of editors and journalists at Carcosa Seri Negara Hotel on March 21.
The minister said the words were also understood to mean that he arranged for the screening of the video and plotted with the prime minister and the police top brass to have it done.
Anwar defended that the words uttered by him were published on an occasion of qualified privilege and published in the reasonable protection of his own legitimate interest as the Opposition leader to the public who had a corresponding interest in receiving the information.
In his counter-claim, Anwar contended that Hishammuddin's words in his press conference on March 21, gave weight to the assertion by the three persons who exposed the video that it was him (Anwar) in it.
High Court Judicial Commissioner Vazeer Alam Mydin Meera set July 25 for case management to allow Anwar to counter Hishammuddin's reply.
He set the date after meeting counsel Tan Sri Cecil Abraham and Sunil Abraham representing Hishammuddin and Datuk S.Ambiga and J. Leela for Anwar, when the case came up for case management today.
