Malaysia PM, police chief sued over calling out alleged plot

The family of Malaysia's influential former finance minister filed a lawsuit on Friday against the prime minister, chief of police and the government to halt what they said were false claims of a plot to overthrow the government allegedly involving his widow and sons.

A week ago, police announced an investigation into an alleged conspiracy to "topple the government and sabotage national stability", which they said involved a local influential figure as well as an international media agency.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said on Tuesday the suspect had engaged the PR firm to launch a coordinated attack aimed at undermining national institutions before the next election.

Neither Anwar nor the police have identified the suspect or the firm.

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The family of Daim Zainuddin, an influential two-time finance minister who died in November 2024, said in a statement on Friday it was "public knowledge" that the investigation targeted Daim's widow Na'imah Abdul Khalid and their sons.

An unverified copy of a police report circulating online accused Na'imah of plotting to overthrow the government. In a statement last week, she denied wrongdoing and questioned whether consulting a PR firm could qualify as an attempt to topple a government.

The family said their lawsuit sought to challenge what it called "abuse of power" by Anwar, Police Inspector-General Mohd Khalid Ismail and the government, and for the court to declare that the investigation is unlawful and tainted with bad faith.

Anwar's office, the police and the attorney-general's office did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The police said last week the investigation was being carried out under laws against undermining parliamentary democracy, an offence that carries a maximum jail term of 20 years.

Daim was a longtime ally of former prime minister Mahathir Mohamad. Anwar and Mahathir have been locked in an on-off rivalry that has shaped Malaysia's politics for decades.

Prior to his death in 2024, Daim had been the subject of a corruption probe looking into figures suspected of holding undeclared wealth. He denied wrongdoing, saying the charges were part of a political vendetta by Anwar.