Ex-Malaysian official sues over 'gay' slur

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, Jan. 27 (UPI) -- Malaysia's former deputy premier is suing the country's former prime minister over allegations accusing him of homosexuality.

Anwar Ibrahim demanded an apology from former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, who said in September that he fired Ibrahim in 1998 to keep Malaysia from being led by a homosexual. Ibrahim was Mohammad's political protégé and had been expected to succeed him, the Sydney Daily Telegraph reported.

The suit seeks $35.4 million in damages. Ibrahim's lawyer denies his client, who was acquitted of sodomy charges in 2004, is gay or that he had a sexual relationship with his driver.

Ibrahim was awarded $1.2 million in damages last year over a book that detailed the sodomy allegations.