Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s defamation suit against PAS MP Awang Hashim has been set for a full trial for six days in 2026.
The Kuala Lumpur High Court today set the matter for trial on July 13 to 20 as well as July 26 that year.
The Pakatan Harapan chairperson’s counsel Sankara Nair confirmed that the full trial will be before civil court judge Ahmad Shahrir Mohd Salleh.
The lawyer said that during case management today, the court also directed parties to complete pretrial documents latest by Nov 30 this year.
The court also set the civil action for further case management on Nov 30, Sankara added.
On March 3, Anwar filed the defamation action against Awang (above, left) over two allegations - firstly that the PKR president allegedly abused his powers by interfering in enforcement and prosecution agencies, and secondly over the issue of the plaintiff’s appointment as the 10th prime minister.
In his statement of defence, Awang cited the time difference between former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Anwar’s administrations in relation to their respective dragnets against political rivals.
Arguing that it was the time factor which he had referred to in concluding that Anwar was “more vindictive” than his predecessor, the Pendang MP said Mahathir’s first act after becoming prime minister in 1981 was to release 21 detainees under the now defunct Internal Security Act (ISA).
Awang pointed out that the infamous Operasi Lalang crackdown under the same security law during Mahathir’s tenure, which the former premier has denied orchestrating, happened six years after he took office.
On the other hand, he claimed Anwar’s political rivals were hauled to court within three months after the latter became prime minister on Nov 24, 2022.
In his reply, Anwar contended that Awang’s attempt to compare the sitting prime minister to former premier Mahathir over alleged vindictiveness in dissident crackdowns was “totally absurd”.
The Tambun MP reiterated that all investigation agencies and prosecutorial services act independently, impartially, and without fear or favour. - Mkini
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