In the suit, Farhash said Wan Fayhsal had defamed him by alleging that he was involved in efforts to entice opposition MPs to support the government.

Farhash filed the writ of summons at the Kuala Lumpur High Court on Jan 22, according to Berita Harian.

Apart from the RM10 million in compensation, Farhash is seeking general, aggravated and exemplary damages.

In the writ, Farhash said Wan Fayhsal, the Bersatu Youth chief, made defamatory statements about him during a press conference at Parliament on Nov 14 last year.

He said Wan Fayhsal implied that Farhash had colluded with, and directed, an individual known as “Datuk Botak” to offer bribes or threaten MPs in an attempt to gain support for Anwar.

“The defamatory statements prejudiced and demeaned me in professional capacity, leadership, reputation and credibility,” said Farhash.

“They were also published on various social media platforms such as Parliament’s official YouTube channel, and on TikTok and WhatsApp. They were embarrassing and caused me to be dragged into the political arena even though I have long left politics.

“It also embarrassed me in my capacity as the chairman and director of several publicly-listed companies, including 7-Eleven Malaysia Holdings Bhd and Apex Equity Holdings Bhd.”

Farhash is seeking a court injunction to prevent Wan Fayhsal or his agents from repeating the defamatory statements.

He also wants the court to order Wan Fayhsal to delete postings made on the matter on the social media accounts he controls.

Wan Fayhsal’s press conference came after four Perikatan Nasional MPs pledged their support for Anwar and the unity government in order to secure allocations for their constituencies.

The four MPs from Bersatu are Iskandar Dzulkarnain Abdul Khalid (Kuala Kangsar), Suhaili Abdul Rahman (Labuan), Azizi Abu Naim (Gua Musang) and Zahari Kechik (Jeli).

Two other Bersatu MPs have since followed suit – Syed Abu Hussin Hafiz Syed Abdul Fasal (Bukit Gantang) and Zulkafperi Hanapi (Tanjong Karang).