Posted on 01/27/2006 6:04:33 PM PST by Aussie Dasher
FORMER Malaysian deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim has launched a lawsuit against one-time prime minister Mahathir Mohamad for accusing him of being a homosexual.
"We have filed a defamation suit against Tun Mahathir today. Anwar has a very good case and we remain confident," said his counsel Sankara Nair. "We reiterate that our client is neither a homosexual nor a sodomiser."
Mr Anwar said he had intended to "move on with my life" after being acquitted in 2004 of the sodomy charges which triggered his sacking and imprisonment in 1998.
But Mr Mahathir remains "defiant in repeating his allegations. I am now left with no choice but to proceed with this suit," he said in a statement.
The lawsuit filed with the High Court said that Mr Mahathir's "falsely and maliciously" made comments were widely reported by the media, causing "irreparable damage" to Mr Anwar's reputation.
They resulted in "considerable distress, anxiety and embarrassment, entitling him to aggravated and exemplary damages," it said. Nair would not specify the amount of damages being sought.
Mr Mahathir said in September 2005 that he sacked Mr Anwar, once seen as his protege and heir apparent, to prevent mainly-Muslim Malaysia from having a homosexual leader.
"I cannot have a person who is like that in my cabinet who may succeed and become the prime minister. Imagine having a gay prime minister. Nobody would be safe," Mr Mahathir told reporters at the time.
Mr Anwar has said he was "shocked" over the remarks, particularly after a court last year awarded him 1.2 million dollars in damages over a book that aired the sodomy allegations.
He demanded a public apology from his ex-boss and 100 million ringgit ($US27 million) but Mr Mahathir refused and said he would "vigorously defend" his case.
Human rights groups maintain that allegations Mr Anwar conducted a sexual relationship with his driver, then abused his power to conceal it, were trumped up to prevent him from challenging Mr Mahathir, whose 22-year rule as premier ended when he retired in October 2003.
Mr Anwar has also won an apology from the former police chief who beat him after his arrest as well as undisclosed damages.
Lie!
I believe Andrew Sullivan or some such person said that since nothing is wrong with being homosexual, it shouldn't be an actionable item of slander to call someone such...
I should certainly feel myself morally burdened by such an accusation.
They'd probably form a circle jerk.
Degenerate the faithful with that crazy Casbah sound!
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