Dr Mahathir’s Defamation Suit Against PM Anwar Postponed to October 23 Due to Health Reasons
Shah Alam, October 21: The High Court in Shah Alam has postponed the first-day proceedings of Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad’s RM150 million defamation suit against Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to October 23, after the 100-year-old former premier was unable to continue with the cross-examination due to fatigue and medication effects.
The hearing, which began on Tuesday morning (Oct 21), lasted less than 30 minutes. According to Sinar Harian, Dr. Mahathir informed the court that he was unwell and lacked the energy to proceed with questioning from Anwar’s legal team.
“I have just taken medication, so I cannot function fully and do not have the strength to speak,” Dr Mahathir said before Judicial Commissioner Datuk Donald Joseph Franklin.
Following this, lawyer Muhammad Rafique Rashid Ali, representing the former Langkawi MP, requested a postponement of the proceedings. The request was not opposed by Ranjit Singh, counsel for Anwar.
The judge then granted the adjournment and set Thursday (Oct 23) for the continuation of the hearing, during which Anwar’s counsel is scheduled to cross-examine Dr Mahathir, who is also the first witness for the plaintiff.
During a brief press conference, Rafique clarified that Dr. Mahathir remained in good health but required sufficient rest.
“He has taken half a day off and is expected to be fully recovered and ready for cross-examination this Thursday,” he said.
On May 3, 2023, Dr. Mahathir filed a defamation lawsuit against Anwar, alleging that statements made by the Prime Minister during his ‘Malaysia Madani National Congress: Implementation of an Idealism’ speech had damaged his reputation as a statesman and former Prime Minister.
The former leader is seeking RM150 million in damages, claiming that Anwar’s remarks suggested he monopolized wealth for his children and family and gave preferential treatment to elites, accusations he says are false and defamatory.
In response, Anwar, who is also Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) President, denied the allegations in his statement of defense filed on June 14, 2023. He argued that the lawsuit was politically motivated, aimed at undermining his credibility as prime minister and stirring racial sentiments ahead of the state elections.
Anwar’s defense also referenced the Certificate of Urgency filed by the plaintiff, noting that the suit was meant to be expedited as six states Selangor, Negeri Sembilan, Penang, Kelantan, Terengganu, and Kedah were preparing to dissolve their assemblies for elections.
Additionally, Anwar’s statement mentioned the direct award of a government contract to Opcom Sdn Bhd, where Dr. Mahathir’s son, Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir, had served as a director from 1994 to 2009.
The defamation case, closely followed by both political and legal observers, will resume this Thursday, with Dr. Mahathir expected to continue his testimony before the court.