Kuala Lumpur: A former Umno Youth leader told the High Court here today the defamation suit filed by DAP chairman Lim Guan Eng and his son against him was a form of "political persecution".
Wan Azri Wan Deris claimed a few Chinese newspapers had published articles alleging that Guan Eng’s son, Clint, had been arrested in Singapore for smuggling RM2 million in cash.
"However, the plaintiffs (Lim and Clint) did not take action against them (newspapers). (Instead) I was sued for defamation," Wan Azri said.
The Lims jointly filed the lawsuit against Wan Azri in 2021 for allegedly spreading false claims that Clint had been detained while trying to smuggle the money into Singapore.
Wan Azri had also alleged that Guan Eng flew to the island state on Feb 29, 2020 to "save his son".
The father and son are seeking damages from Wan Azri.
Wan Azri also insisted he was not "Papagomo" and that he did not maintain a Facebook account called "Papa Azri"..
He told the court he had a personal Facebook page that went by his birth name.
"My account was shut down by Facebook last year," Wan Azri added.
The Lims’ lawyer, Simon Murali, then asked Wan Azri if he had made attempts to trace the administrator of the "Papa Azri" page.
Wan Azri replied he had but that he could not identify the person.
The hearing continues before Judicial Commissioner Eddie Yeo on Dec 11.
