Farhash sues Rafizi for RM10 million over two alleged defamatory videos

KUALA LUMPUR – Businessman Datuk Seri Farhash Wafa Salvador Rizal Mubarak has filed a defamation lawsuit against former Economy Minister Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli over two videos recently uploaded on social media.

According to news portal The Edge, the suit was filed on Oct 10 through the law firm Ahmad Deniel, Ruben & Co, after Rafizi allegedly failed to apologise for publishing the two defamatory videos.

The first video was uploaded on July 25, while the second was released on Aug 20.

In his statement of claim, Farhash, who previously served as political secretary to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is seeking RM10 million in general damages, as well as aggravated, exemplary and punitive damages and legal costs.

Farhash said the issue began after claims circulated online alleging that his company, Bumi Suria Sdn Bhd, had obtained a coal mining licence in Sabah.

He said the allegations were false and had been denied by both himself and the Sabah Land and Survey Department, after which a police report was lodged to refute the accusation.

He has also filed lawsuits against several media outlets for publishing false reports about the same matter.

Farhash said the first video titled “Tangani Isu Farhash Elak Jadi Beban Lebih Besar Pada Kerajaan” (Address the Farhash Issue to Avoid Becoming a Bigger Burden on the Government), uploaded by Rafizi on TikTok and YouTube on July 25, amounted to a personal attack against him.

He claimed he was made a scapegoat for Rafizi’s political interests due to his previous position as Anwar’s political secretary.

The second video, titled “Bukan Ismail Sabri, bukan KJ” (Not Ismail Sabri, Not KJ), published on Aug 20, allegedly linked him to a needle attack incident involving Rafizi’s child, based on information from an individual described as a “whistleblower.”

On Aug 22, Farhash’s lawyers sent a letter of demand to Rafizi, asking him to apologise and remove the videos within 48 hours, but no action was taken.

“The two videos were attacks on my reputation and good name, stirring public hatred against me, despite my contributions to the business world,” he said.

Farhash, who is also the Apex Equity Holdings Bhd Executive Chairman, Berjaya Construction Bhd Director and a member of the Malaysian Entrepreneurs Foundation Advisory Board, said the allegations had damaged investor and business confidence in him.

“Investors, partners, and industry players have lost trust in me even more so because of my previous role as the Prime Minister’s political secretary and as a director of several public-listed companies,” he said.

He added that Rafizi’s statements not only undermined his credibility in the business sector but also tarnished his personal and professional integrity.

Earlier, on Sept 9, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) confirmed that Farhash was not involved in any misconduct related to the allegations against his company.

The case was mentioned for case management before High Court Deputy Registrar K Vasugi.