KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 14 — Former Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM) leader Anina Saadudi has filed a defamation suit yesterday against six party members, but did not reveal their names.

According to The Star, the suit was over their claims she accepted a RM7 million bribe to rejoin Umno.

"Through my lawyers, I’ve filed a defamation suit at the Shah Alam Sessions Court on October 12 to clear my name,” she was quoted saying.

"The suit is against six Pribumi leaders, four of whom are Langkawi Pribumi leaders. I will reveal their names soon.”

However, Anina said PPBM chairman and Langkawi chapter chief Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad was not among the six.

Anina who was one of the seven founding members quit PPBM last month, claiming that the party is being led by leaders who could not handle criticisms.

Earlier this year, PPBM president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said that Anina was removed as leader of the party’s women’s wing Srikandi because of performance issues.

The Star reported that in May, Langkawi PPBM secretary Puteri Fataharyati Harun had posted on Facebook, labelling Anina "desperate” for allegedly receiving the sum from Umno.

Anina said she had subsequently lodged a report with Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission.

She claimed she had similarly reported the matter to PPBM’s disciplinary council in August, but the party did not respond.

"I’m very disappointed with Pribumi, particularly its disciplinary council. The Langkawi Pribumi leadership is still spreading allegations,” she reportedly said.  

"This is very disheartening, as individuals with ill-intentions are not only tarnishing my credibility as a young politician, but also slandering Dr Mahathir, who is a prominent statesman.”