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News Desk

The Star

Publication Date : 08-03-2013

Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim has filed a 100 million ringgit (US$32 million) defamation suit against TV3 and Utusan Melayu (M) Bhd for linking him to the intrusion by an armed Sulu group in Lahad Datu.

The suit was filed at the KL High Court civil registry in Kuala Lumpur today, naming Utusan and TV3 as defendants.

His lawyer N. Surendran said they were also applying for an injunction to stop the defendants from publishing or broadcasting any defamatory words against him.

Yesterday, Anwar denied meeting the self-proclaimed Sultan of Sulu or having any involvement in the attacks on the east coast of Sabah, where Malaysian security forces have been conducting search and mopping up operations after an all-out attack on the group Tuesday.

He told Radyo Inquirer 990AM in an exclusive interview that he had "made it very clear" that he had not met with the Sultan of Sulu who he didn't know and that there were many claimants (to the throne).

Anwar said the presence of insurgents was "unacceptable" and blamed the local mainstream media for spinning the issue.

Last Friday, the Philippine Daily Inquirer ran a news piece based on Filipino army intelligence sources, which stated that a Sabah politician allied to Anwar had met with the armed intruders.