Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin today failed to set aside the judgment in default which was entered against him following a RM100 million suit by Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim.

NONE A judgment in default was entered against Khairy in Dec 4, 2008, after he failed to enter appearance. Khairy filed the application in February 2009.

Announcing the decision in chambers, Kuala Civil High Court senior assistant registrar Nazri Yahya also ordered Khairy to pay costs.

The handing over of the writ was done legally, said Nazri, adding: "There is no merit in the defence."

Khairy was represented by Muhammad Shafee Abdullah and Badrul Munir Bukhari, whereas Sankara Nair and Wan Anuar Syahadat represented Anwar.

Khairy to appeal

In a statement issued later today, Khairy expressed disappointment with the decision and said he had been advised counsel Muhd Shafee that he had a strong case to set aside the judgment that was entered.

"As such, I have moved to file a notice of appeal today," said Khairy, who is also Rembau member of Parliament.

"I have never been personally served with the Writ of Summons, nor the service of such writ executed on me at my place of abode being my last known address as required by law.

"Our lawyers are taking steps to expedite the appeal as the ‘sting’ of the alleged libel had been dealt with by the highest court in this country against Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim," he added.

Anwar, 63, filed the suit following what he said were defamatory statement made by Khairy at a ceramah in Lembah Pantai on Feb 20, 2008.

Khairy was accused of having given the audience the impression that Anwar is a homosexual, and a man of low morals who also has no Islamic values.

“The allegations in the articles and the comments (containing Khairy's allegations) against our client amount to a very serious libel on our client and have caused him considerable distress and embarrassment in the light of the case against our client in PP v Dato' Seri Anwar Ibrahim whereby he was acquitted,” read the demand letter to Khairy.

"These allegations made against him are false and your attack on him is wholly unjustified," the letter read further.

Anwar had also demanded a public apology from Khairy.