KUALA LUMPUR – Businessman Datuk Farhash Wafa Salvador has told the High Court that allegations linking him to Malaysia’s external intelligence agency had caused difficulties during his overseas travels, including prolonged questioning by immigration authorities.
Testifying in his defamation suit against Taman Medan assemblyman Dr Afif Bahardin today, Farhash said the allegations had affected his reputation and raised concerns over the security of his business and family, the Edge reported.
He claimed he had been stopped and subjected to lengthy immigration procedures on two occasions abroad, with officers apparently suspecting he was an intelligence operative.
"It happened to me twice (with immigration overseas) and it took a very lengthy process because they think I'm a spy coming into their county… This is all due to the 'spin' from Afif and (Machang member of parliament) Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal.
"All kinds of rumours are flying about. […] That's why I want to clear my name," he testified.
Farhash is suing Afif over statements made in a video uploaded to the @budakparliament TikTok account in November 2023, in which the latter allegedly claimed that Farhash was a senior deputy director-general of the Malaysia External Intelligence Organisation (MEIO), often described as Malaysia's equivalent of the CIA.
Farhash said the remarks portrayed him as a controversial and negative individual who was unsuitable for government service and potentially posed a security threat to the country.
The video followed remarks made by Wan Fayhsal in Parliament. Farhash told the court that he had also initiated separate defamation proceedings against the Machang MP over the matter.
In his suit against Afif, Farhash is seeking an order compelling the assemblyman to withdraw the statements and issue a public apology.
He is also claiming RM1 million in damages, alongside aggravated, exemplary and punitive damages.
In his statement of defence, Afif denied having knowledge of the video posted by the TikTok account and said he had no control over its content.
He also argued that, as an elected representative, he had a responsibility to raise matters concerning the public interest.
Farhash has concluded his testimony, with Afif expected to take the witness stand when the trial resumes on January 27 before High Court judge Gan Techiong.
Farhash is represented by R Aswath, Nurin Husnina Hussein and S Sarrenya of Ahmad Deniel, Ruben & Co, while Hasshahari Johari Mawi of Hasshahari & Partners appears for Afif. - November 2, 2026
The post MEIO ‘spy’ claims have made overseas travel difficult, Farhash tells court appeared first on Scoop.
