The Shah Alam High Court today dismissed with costs the application of Defence Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to strike out a suit brought against him by a businessman three years ago.

Judicial Commissioner Zaleha Yusof dismissed the suit in chambers. She also gave Ahmad Zahid a month to file his statement of defence.

Businessman Amir Bazli Abdullah, 39, filed the suit for damages on July 4, 2007, claiming that Ahmad Zahid punched him in the face on Jan 16, 2006.

Ahmad Zahid applied to strike out the suit on Aug 29, 2006, on ground that it was trivial and Amir Bazli replied that the minister's application was baseless and an abuse of the court process.

Ahmad Zahid was represented by counsel Shashi Menon and Shamsul Bahrai Ibrahim and Amir Bazli, by counsel Karpal Singh and Sangeet Kaur Deo.

- Bernama