Mediation today failed to resolve PKR secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution Ismail’s defamation suit against Housing and Local Government Minister Zuraida Kamaruddin.
As a result, the legal action will now go for full hearing before the High Court in Kuala Lumpur for three days beginning Jan 19 next year.
Earlier this morning, Malaysiakini reported that Kulim-Bandar Bharu MP Saifuddin Nasution and former PKR vice-president Zuraida were attempting to resolve the lawsuit via online mediation today.
Last year, Saifuddin Nasution filed the defamation suit against Ampang MP Zuraida over allegations linked to the Kelantan government and Tabung Amanah Tok Kenali.
The PKR lawmaker had previously claimed the late PAS spiritual leader Nik Aziz Nik Mat had at one time appointed him to head the state government-linked company from 2004 to 2007.
When contacted today, Saifuddin Nasution’s counsel Chiew Choon Man confirmed that today’s mediation was unsuccessful and that the lawsuit will go for full trial next year.
“Mediation was conducted today via Zoom before the High Court mediation division director, Puan Wan Fadhilah Nor Wan Idris.
“Mediation ended with no conclusive settlement as to date.
“Case management is scheduled tomorrow before High Court judge Rozana Ali Yusoff, to update the court on the outcome of the mediation, and to prepare for the trial on 19, 20, 21 January 2022,” the lawyer said.
Asked whether his client would attempt another mediation later, Chiew said he has not received any instructions on the matter.
Malaysiakini is in the midst of reaching out to Zuraida’s legal team over the outcome of today’s mediation.
Early last year, the defamation action came on the heels of PKR serving a show-cause letter against Zuraida over remarks against PKR president Anwar Ibrahim at a dinner in December 2019.
Zuraida was among the leaders aligned to then PKR deputy president Azmin Ali, who spoke during a gathering on Dec 8, 2019, at the height of a rift within the party, which was marked by a walkout during the final day of PKR's annual congress.
She has since become a minister in the Perikatan Nasional (PN) administration, following the collapse of the previous Pakatan Harapan government early last year.
Saifuddin Nasution was the domestic trade, cooperatives and consumerism minister during the Harapan administration.
Previously, economic affairs minister in the Harapan administration, Azmin is now international trade and industry minister under the current PN government.
PKR also has a separate, ongoing RM10 million suit against Zuraida over her leaving the party last year. - Mkini
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