Farhash Wafa Salvador Rizal Mubarak, a former aide to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, filed separate suits against the two men at the High Court here on Jan 22 through the legal firm of Messrs Ahmad Deniel, Ruben & Co, Bernama reported.

In his statement of claim, Farhash said Badrul had defamed him at a press conference on Nov 24, 2023 by claiming that Farhash was the director-general of the Malaysian External Intelligence Organisation.

Farhash also alleged that Afif, who is the Selangor Perikatan Nasional secretary, had defamed him in a media statement on Nov 15, 2023 by saying that he had a wild character and was not fit to be a government officer.

According to Farhash, who is the chairman and director of several companies, including 7-Eleven Malaysia Holdings Bhd and Apex Equity Holdings Bhd, the defamatory statements, which were published on TikTok and WhatsApp, were intended to embarrass him and tarnish his reputation.

He is seeking an injunction to prevent the duo or their agents from repeating or republishing the alleged defamatory statements.

Farhash also wants the two defendants to withdraw their statements and apologise in the media of his choice.

He is also claiming special damages of RM1 million from each defendant, as well as general damages, compensatory and exemplary damages, interest, costs and other relief deemed appropriate by the court.

The court has set March 25 for case management.