ALOR STAR: A political activist claims he was defamed following a corruption report lodged against him by an independent preacher.
Zamil Ibrahim claimed the allegation appears to undermine his credibility as a witness in a court case involving the preacher.
In response, Zamil, who was recently released from remand in relation to an anti-corruption investigation by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), filed a police report concerning his detention yesterday at the Kota Setar police headquarters.
"The MACC report by the preacher is false, malicious defamation and an injustice.
"It damages my credibility and is an attempt to undermine my political career in the eyes of respected leaders.
"The MACC report also taints the good name of the police, especially in relation to a report I filed on Oct 20 last year concerning the misuse of funds donated to the preacher's account," he said here today.
He added that accusations suggesting he could influence the authorities to halt the investigation into the preacher are unfounded.
Zamil claimed that the preacher had contacted him two weeks ago to arrange a meeting to resolve their conflict, leading to their final meeting before his arrest by MACC last week.
"I did not anticipate that my second meeting with the preacher at the mosque would involve money and the arrival of MACC officers from Kedah.
"I never asked for money, set a price or requested anything.
"He showed up at the mosque on Nov 5 after I had completed funeral prayers, bringing money with him.
"What shocked me was the arrival of MACC officers claiming that a bribery attempt had occurred.
"After my remand ended, I lodged a report to clear my name of this malicious defamation."