Perak PAS commissioner Razman Zakaria has made it clear that he is prepared to face Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh in court over a potential defamation lawsuit.
Razman’s lawyer, Khairul Azam Abdul Aziz, confirmed that his client has formally responded to Yeoh’s letter of demand, which accuses him of defaming her by alleging that she used her ministerial position to promote Christianity among Muslims. Speaking to Malaysiakini, Khairul relayed Razman’s firm stance, saying, “See you in the Ipoh High Court.”
Yeoh’s legal representative, Sangeet Kaur Deo, acknowledged receiving the response, indicating that legal proceedings may move forward. Among the options available to Yeoh, who is also the Segambut MP, is to initiate a defamation suit against Razman, who serves as the Semanggol assemblyperson.
The controversy began when Razman made remarks during a speech last month, with a one-minute clip from the 30-minute address going viral. The video showed him making allegations about Yeoh’s supposed role in religious propagation. Following public backlash, Razman issued an apology for mistakenly associating Yeoh with YTL Corporation’s founder, Yeoh Tiong Lay. However, he did not retract the core claim regarding religious influence.
Unwilling to let the matter rest, Yeoh took to social media, warning that she would pursue legal action. On January 28, she formally demanded RM1 million in damages and a public apology, asserting that Razman’s statements were false and defamatory.
In his February 7 response, Razman refuted the defamation claim, insisting that his remarks were based on factual content from Yeoh’s memoir, Becoming Hannah. His legal defense hinges on two arguments: justification—meaning he believes he can prove his statements in court—and fair comment, which protects opinions made in good faith on matters of public interest.
This is not the first time Yeoh has faced similar allegations. She is already engaged in a separate defamation suit against Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia lecturer Kamarul Zaman Yusoff over claims related to her 2014 book. Additionally, she is appealing the dismissal of another case against former Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan, who made similar accusations.
As tensions escalate, all eyes will be on the courts to determine the outcome of this high-profile legal showdown.
Information Source: Malay Mail
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