KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 21): Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is pursuing a settlement of his defamation suit against Pendang Member of Parliament Datuk Awang Solahuddin Hashim, which he had filed in 2023.
Anwar’s lead counsel Datuk N Sankara Nair informed High Court judge Roslan Mat Nor that there are some matters yet to be sorted out.
Awang Solahuddin’s counsel, Mohd Faizi Che Abu, confirmed the matter.
Roslan then asked parties as to how many witnesses would be testifying, to which Sankara replied there would be one for his side, and Faizi said there would be six for his, but it could be narrowed down to three witnesses.
Following this settlement development, Sankara asked for another case management date before the scheduled trial dates of Oct 26 – 29.
Roslan then fixed Sept 23 as case management for parties to update the court on the possibility of settlement, and if there was no settlement, the matter will proceed for trial in October.
Initially trial dates were originally fixed for July this year.
Anwar filed the suit against the PAS politician in March 2023, over Awang Solahuddin's comments made in the Parliament lobby.
The Pakatan Harapan chief claims the remarks insinuated that he was vindictive and had abused his power in office to achieve his personal political agenda.
The Pendang MP in turn cites the defence of fair comment, and contends that the criminal charges against ex-PM Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, among others, contradict Anwar’s claim of not practising politics of vengeance.
Awang Solahuddin also referenced the "Operasi Lalang crackdown" during the Mahathir administration, which happened six years after Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad took office.
In comparison, Awang Solahuddin says Anwar’s political rivals were brought to court within months after taking office in November 2022.
In reply, Anwar says that this was "totally absurd and untenable" and asserts that the burden of proof is on the PAS man to prove the allegations.
Anwar is seeking general, aggravated, and exemplary damages and compensation, as well as an injunction order to refrain the defendant or his agents from republishing the alleged defamatory remarks.