Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim denied ever propositioning Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman for the deputy prime minister (DPM)'s post.
Cross examined by the defendant (Anifah)'s counsel Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah at the High Court here today, Anwar, 67, did admit to a phone conversation with Anifah but said it was about family.
"The conversation was on family matters because we have been good friends for a long time. I did not offer him the DPM's post," he said.
Counsel had suggested to Anwar that he had offered the DPM's post to Anifah in a phone call while he was at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport in 2008.
On May 27, 2009, Anwar filed a RM100 million defamation suit against Anifah and the Malaysian Government, alleging that the minister's remarks at a media conference in Washington, in which then US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was also present, had tarnished his image.
Further prompted by Muhammad Shafee to admit that he had offered the DPM's post to Anifah "because it was urgent", Anwar countered, "I cannot make such a careless mistake. It is impossible to offer a person in a 10-minute conversation".
Anwar who is also Permatang Pauh member of parliament, described the defendant as being "very presumptuous", and insisted there had not been any meeting between them.
According to him, Anifah had on one occasion telephoned him while he was overseas.
"He said he had heard that there were a large number from Sabah who wanted to join the opposition and he wanted me to confirm the names and the numbers.
"He said if I had the numbers, he was keen to join me. I did not make any offer to him, and certainly did not consider him for the DPM's post," said Anwar.
He accused Anifah of depicting him as a person who was unfit to hold political or any office and was dangerous to Malaysian society.
Anwar also alleged that the defendant's remarks which were widely reported in the local and foreign media, had cast imputations on his character and directly and indirectly portrayed him as unethical, unprincipled and corrupt.
In summary, he said the statement had lowered him in the estimation of right thinking members of society.
The hearing before Judicial Commissioner Siti Khadijah S.Hassan Badjenid continues on Wednesday.
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