This press statement is being released to address Maharis Azman’s position in relation to the controversy involving Mutha Puaka and TBWA Kuala Lumpur (“TBWA KL”).

1. PRESS STATEMENT
DEFAMATION STATEMENT IN THE ARTICLE ‘CHANGING OF THE GUARD AT TBWA
KL CREATIVE LEADERSHIP’ DATED 29 MARCH 2017 AGAINST MR. MAHARIS
AZMAN
This press statement is being released to address Maharis Azman’s position in relation
to the controversy involving Mutha Puaka and TBWA Kuala Lumpur (“TBWA KL”).
As many are aware, there was a recent controversial issue and legal row between
TEALIVE and MUTHA PUAKA regarding the use of Mutha Puaka’s slogan by
Tealive. Mutha Puaka, a local custom motorcycle lifestyle brand has claimed that
TEALIVE, a Malaysian-owned bubble tea franchise used Mutha Puaka’s motto,
‘Never Bully The Weak, Never Fear The Strong’ in their recent advertisement and
teacups as part of their rebranding exercise. It is also Mutha Puaka’s claim that they
have been using the slogan on their branding and merchandise since 2014.
It is without doubt that this issue and controversy has drawn public’s attention,
particularly from those who are involved in the creative industry, including but not
limited to, a well-known media and marketing website, Mumbrella Asia.
On 29th March 2017, 8.30 am, Mumbrella Asia has published an article titled
‘CHANGING OF THE GUARD AT TBWA KL CREATIVE’. The article which
contains defamatory statements against me has precisely indicated in their natural and
ordinary meaning as follows:-
a) It was claimed that I was directly involved in the legal row between TEALIVE
and MUTHA PUAKA regarding the use of Mutha Puaka’s slogan by Tealive;
b) It was claimed that I left TBWA KL because I was directly involved in the legal
row between TEALIVE and MUTHA PUAKA regarding the use of Mutha
Puaka’s slogan by Tealive;
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2. c) It was claimed that I was the person in charge from TBWA KL with regards to the
copied slogan and as well as the legal row between TEALIVE and MUTHA
PUAKA regarding the use of Mutha Puaka’s slogan by Tealive; and
d) It was also claimed that the announcement of the new appointment of Ng He
Xiang as the Creative Group Head was intended to replace my position in TBWA
KL due to the legal row between TEALIVE and MUTHA PUAKA regarding the
use of Mutha Puaka’s slogan by Tealive.
All these defamatory statements have tarnished my reputation in the media and
creative industry. My actual reason for departing from TBWA KL is due to an
opportunity which I have received from a different agency. I strongly believe that it
serves no purpose to have my name in the article published by Mumbrella Asia. It is
my understanding that their original purpose of publishing the said article was to
announce the new appointment of the Creative Group Head. Therefore, my name
should never have been in the said article.
Further, Mumbrella Asia only made amendment to the current and existing article by
including the statement "Azman himself was not involved with the Tealive account",
after I had contacted them for further clarification. From observation, I have found
that the article has been shared and circulated all over the internet prior to the
amended article being re-published on Mumbrella Asia’s website.
All the falsehood and untruths contained in the article has seriously defamed me and
my reputation in the creative industry. By releasing this press statement, I hope that
my name will no longer be related to this controversy as I am not involved and was
never involved with the legal row between TEALIVE and MUTHA PUAKA
regarding the use of Mutha Puaka’s slogan by Tealive.
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