SHAH ALAM (May 31): Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has been granted a two-week extension to file his defence to a defamation suit by Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad despite objection by the former PM’s lawyer.
This was confirmed by Anwar’s lawyer Alliff Benjamin Suhaimi when contacted by The Edge.
The extension was granted by senior assistant registrar Elizabeth Low.
Initially, Anwar was slated to file his statement of defence on Wednesday (May 31).
Following this, the court has fixed July 7 for case management of the matter before High Court judicial commissioner Jamhirah Ali.
It is understood that Anwar’s lawyers had requested the extension of time as they needed more time to confirm a number of matters with their client in light of the current prime minister's busy schedule. The law firm had also been struck with Covid-19 since Saturday (May 27).
Meanwhile, Dr Mahathir’s lawyer Rafique Rashid Ali, when contacted by The Edge, said that initially Anwar’s lawyers wanted 30 days to file Anwar’s statement of defence, but the plaintiff strongly objected and had the court record the objection.
“Dr Mahathir wanted to have the hearing be heard quickly and prior to this, he has consented to an extension of time for the PM to reply to the letter of demand.
“Dr Mahathir has made his position known to the court,” Rafique said, adding that a certificate of urgency had also been filed for this case.
As a result, the court directed Anwar to file his defence on or before June 14, and Dr Mahathir to file in his reply on or before July 6.
Dr Mahathir had filed a RM150 million suit against Anwar, who allegedly made the defamatory comments about Dr Mahathir in a speech during PKR's congress on March 18.
Dr Mahathir is seeking RM50 million in general damages and exemplary damages of RM100 million, along with a public apology from the Pakatan Harapan chairman over the comments made and an undertaking not to repeat the same or similar statements.
In his statement of claim, the 97-year-old politician alleged Anwar’s statement in alleging his family’s purported amassed wealth was for the purpose of creating various bad perceptions against him and it was out to tarnish his image as a statesman and a former PM who has a reputation as a politician and a leader, and respected throughout Malaysia and the world.
Besides the suit, Rafique also filed a certificate of urgency for the matter to be heard due to the impending state elections in six states.