Kuala Lumpur, Dec 20 – The High Court here Friday set three days from April 8 next year to hear the RM100 million defamation suit filed by Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim against Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman.
It is regarding statements made by the minister at a press conference in Washington four years ago.
Judge Siti Khadijah S. Hassan Badjenid set the dates in chambers after meeting lawyers Syed Ismat Syed Muhamad, representing Anifah, and Masturina Mohamad Rodzi who is acting for Anwar.
The dates of the hearing follows the ruling by the Appeals Court ordering the case to be reverted to High Court for full hearing.
The Appeals Court made the decision after allowing Anwar’s appeal to reinstate the suit against Anifah in the latter’s personal capacity.
On Jan 6, 2011, High Court judge Datuk John Louis O’Hara dismissed the suit after allowing an application by Anifah and the government to strike out the suit.
The statements were allegedly made by Anifah in May 2009 at a press conference at the State Department in Washington.
On May 27, 2009, Anwar had filed the suit against Anifah in his personal and official capacity and the Government of Malaysia claiming that Anifah’s statements at the press conference in which the then US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was also present defamed him.
He further claimed that Anifah’s alleged defamatory statements were widely reported in the local and foreign media.
Anwar is seeking RM100 million in general, exemplary and aggravated damages, costs and other relief deemed fit by the court.
-Bernama
