SHAH ALAM: The first-day proceedings of Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s defamation suit against Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim at the High Court here on Tuesday (Oct 21), concerning the Prime Minister’s speech during the special Malaysia Madani National Congress: ‘Implementation of an Idealism’, lasted less than 30 minutes.
According to Sinar Harian, after answering three additional questions from his lawyer, Dr Mahathir, who celebrated his 100th birthday on July 10, said he did not have the energy to continue the cross-examination proceedings from the party representing the Tambun MP.
“I have just taken medication so I cannot function fully and do not have the strength to speak,” he said during proceedings before Judicial Commissioner Datuk Donald Joseph Franklin.
Following this, lawyer Muhammad Rafique Rashid Ali, representing the former Langkawi MP, requested the court to postpone the proceedings.
This was not opposed by lawyer Ranjit Singh, who represents Anwar, 78.
Donald then allowed the proceedings to be postponed and to resume this Thursday (Oct 23), with the defendant’s counsel scheduled to cross-examine Dr Mahathir, who is also the first plaintiff’s witness.
During a press conference, Muhammad Rafique said Dr Mahathir is healthy but requires adequate rest.
“He has taken half a day off and is expected to be fully recovered for the cross-examination proceedings by the defendant’s lawyer this Thursday,” he said.
In documents filed on May 3, 2023, Dr Mahathir filed the defamation suit against Anwar, claiming RM150mil in damages over the speech.
Dr Mahathir, as the plaintiff, filed the suit through Tetuan Law Practice of Rafique at the High Court, naming Anwar as the sole defendant.
In the statement of claim, Dr Mahathir alleged that Anwar had issued several defamatory statements aimed at damaging his reputation.
According to him, these included statements claiming the plaintiff ‘monopolised’ wealth for his children and family, besides giving special treatment or prioritising high-ranking individuals.
He stated that the claims were untrue and damaged his image as a statesman and former Prime Minister.
Meanwhile, Anwar, who is the Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) President, claimed in his statement of defence on June 14 of the same year that Dr Mahathir’s suit was intended to weaken his credibility as Prime Minister, besides creating racial division ahead of the state election.
Anwar said that based on the Certificate of Urgency filed by the plaintiff, it stated that the lawsuit must be disposed of immediately because (at that time) six states were about to dissolve their State Legislative Assemblies to pave the way for the state election.
The six states were Selangor, Negeri Sembilan, Penang, Kelantan, Terengganu, and Kedah.
In addition, he also raised the issue of the direct award of a contract to Opcom Sdn Bhd, in which Dr Mahathir’s third child, Datuk Seri Mukhriz, was a company director from March 30, 1994, to Oct 14, 2009.
