The case stems from social media posts by Dusuki in 2023 alleging that Fahmi had engaged in political campaigning in a mosque.

Fahmi, 45, said the statements were made with malice and contained no truth, according to Bernama.

The Lembah Pantai MP said numerous netizens repeated the allegations based on Dusuki’s post, which also fuelled abusive comments against him on social media.

Fahmi said the allegations were entirely untrue as he did not deliver any political speech or religious talk requiring a teaching permit (tauliah) at the mosque.

Fahmi said he was shocked and upset that his actions in educating the public on a social issue were misrepresented through claims that he had misused a place of worship for political gain and acted against shariah laws and the decree of the Selangor sultan.

“It has undermined my credibility not only as a public figure but also as a public servant elected to serve the people’s interests,” Fahmi said in his witness statement.

“I was condemned and humiliated by the public. As a result, I have suffered irreparable damage to my reputation.

“I have clarified that the photos were taken when I stopped at the mosque to perform prayers, and I was later invited to give a brief explanation on the issue of a concert involving the band The 1975. This can be verified by those present,” he said.

He also said he fully cooperated with investigations by the Selangor Islamic religious council (Mais) and the police, both of which concluded no further action was required as no shariah offences were committed.

“Both the police and Mais have rebutted the defendant’s claims. However, the defendant has not retracted the post, deleted it, or issued an apology,” he said, concluding his testimony for the day.

Defamation suits filed by Fahmi against Facebook user Fauzan Madzlan and political influencer Wan Azri Wan Deris, also known as Papagomo, over the same allegations were settled in the High Court yesterday.

However, the case against Dusuki proceeded as no settlement was reached between the parties.

According to his statement of claim filed on Sept 5, 2023, Fahmi alleges that Dusuki published defamatory statements accusing him of misusing a mosque for political campaigning and acting against the decree of the Selangor sultan.

The statements were published on Dusuki’s Facebook and Instagram accounts on July 31, 2023.

Fahmi is seeking damages and an injunction to prevent the defendants from repeating or republishing the allegedly defamatory statements.

The trial continues tomorrow before Justice Raja Ahmad Mohzanuddin Shah Raja Mohzan.