Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s defamation lawsuit against Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim will be heard in October.
High Court judge Justice Donald Joseph Franklin fixed Oct 21, 23, and 29 for trial.
When met outside the courthouse, however, the former prime minister expressed hope that the case could be heard as soon as possible.
“I’m getting old,” he told reporters.
The trial was initially set for Aug 18 to Aug 20.
Mahathir is suing Anwar for statements made at a PKR congress on March 18, 2023, allegedly referring to him as racist and claiming that he had enriched his family while in office.
Mahathir also said that Anwar’s statements were made in his capacity as prime minister and, as such, had a far more devastating effect on him than similar statements made by ordinary citizens.
He said the statements were intended to dent his public image as they were viewed and heard by a wide spectrum of people.
Mahathir also said that the allegations had eroded his status as a statesman and former prime minister.
He wants Anwar to retract all allegedly defamatory statements about him and publish the retractions on both mainstream and social media.
He also wants Anwar to extend an unconditional apology and undertake not to repeat the same or similar statements.
