A defamation suit filed by the Terengganu government against PAS Batu Burok assemblyperson Syed Azman Syed Ahmad and three others over the state's purchase of school uniforms, was struck out by the High Court in Kuala Lumpur today.

NONE Judge Yeoh Wee Siam allowed a preliminary objection raised by the respondents including PAS organ Harakah , its chief editor Ahmad Lutfi Othman (right) and publisher Angkatan Edaran Entreprise Sdn Bhd.

Mohd Hanipa Maidin, representing them, said the judge ruled in chambers that the Terengganu government has no locus standi (legal standing) to proceed with the suit filed on Dec 15 last year.

Lawyers Abu Bakar Juis, Abdullah Omar and Edynoor Hiefnee Razali appeared for the plaintiffs.

Abdullah said the plaintiffs are likely to appeal the ruling.

Justice Yeoh also directed Terengganu Menteri Besar Ahmad Said, who is also a plaintiff, to state whether he filed the suit in his personal capacity or in his capacity as menteri besar.

She instructed both parties to file submissions by July 30, and will deliver her decision on Aug 28.

The plaintiffs had claimed that a report entitled 'Seleweng RM30 juta bantuan sekolah?' (Embazzlement of RM30 million in school aid?) written by Syed Azman and published last November was “malicious”.

The report insinuated that the state government and menteri besar had not been transparent in giving out contracts under the school aid programme, they said.

They sought general, special, aggravated and exemplary damages, costs and an injunction to prevent the respondents from continuing to make the claim.