A RELATIVELY new PAS member has come forth in defence of UMNO Youth chief Datuk Dr Akmal Saleh. The Melaka High Court ruled that Akmal pay RM300,000 for defaming Seputeh MP Teresa Kok.
Datuk Zaid Ibrahim has pointed out that Akmal should appeal against the court ruling for sake of “freedom of speech and national harmony”.
In a Facebook post, Zaid said Akmal had bad manners just like many politicians but that was not equivalent to being defamatory.
“About him calling Teresa ‘apek tua’ is that defamatory? Teresa is not young and apek was used regularly when I was growing up in Kelantan. The Chinese did not take offence. Of course, that was before DAP ruled the country.”
“So the sting of his “defamatory” statements must be the part where he described her as habitually making remarks that disturb national harmony; that her conduct disturbs national harmony.”
Zaid, a former de facto law minister, went on to question whether DAP’s accusations against PAS were defamatory.
Zaid himself has been associated with UMNO and the DAP in past. He started his political life in UMNO, then went on to form KITA before joining the DAP. He later rejoined UMNO before jumping to PAS.
Courts need to determine whether all opinions must be proven factually since it would impact freedom of speech which is guaranteed under the constitution, he argued.
“When is an opinion/statement an extrapolation of unprovable fact? Must opinions all be provable or will the court rule them defamatory? Any place for freedom of speech or qualified privilege for political figures?
“Malaysian courts must answer these questions seriously; otherwise, those with more lawyers on their panel can destroy their opponents with damages.”
Zaid also mooted the idea that PAS emulate DAP by suing the DAP for making unprovable facts.
“I suggest PAS also use DAP style of politics, sue them all the time for defamation for anything they said that constitutes an extrapolation of unprovable fact.
“They can’t prove PAS is a threat to democracy or what constitutes national harmony or that PAS threaten their way of life. They can only prove PAS political philosophy is different from theirs.”
Many of Zaid’s non-Malay audience were not on the same page with him on this matter.
A netizen by the name of Kam Fook Woo said: “Remember every human being has dignity. We should not insult.”
(Image: Zaid Ibrahim Facebook)
Another netizen, Tan Ka Ann reminded Zaid that freedom of speech does not give one the freedom to speak without using the brain.
“Truly understandable because now you had jumped to PAS then definitely you have to spin and speak on behalf of your allies…,” Tan added.
Akmal meanwhile is auctioning his motorcycle and tilapia fish to raise funds in his bid to settle the fine. – Oct 23, 2026
Main Image: Zaid Ibrahim Facebook
