Anwar Ibrahim’s RM100-million defamation suit against Foreign Minister Anifah Aman will go for trial at the High Court.

This follows a decision by the Federal Court in Putrajaya today in dismissing Anifah’s application to obtain leave to appeal against a Court of Appeal’s decision which had reinstated Anwar’s civil suit against him.

A five-member panel led by Court of Appeal President Md Raus Sharif, in a unanimous decision, ordered the case to be remitted to the High Court for trial.

He also ordered Anifah to pay RM10,000 in legal costs to Anwar.

The trial, before Judicial Commissioner Siti Khadijah S Hassan Badjenid, is scheduled to commence for seven days, beginning April 8.

On May 27, 2009, Anwar sued Anifah in his personal and official capacities and the Government, claiming he had been defamed during a joint news conference by Anifah and the then United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.   

In his statement of claim, Anwar alleged that Anifah’s claims were baseless, unfounded and grossly negligent and had been widely reported in the local and foreign media.   

Anwar is seeking RM100 million in compensatory, aggravated and exemplary damages, costs and other relief deemed fit by the court.  

On Jan 6, 2011, High Court judge John Louis O’Hara threw out the suit after allowing an application by Anifah and the government to strike out the suit.

The Appeals Court, on Jan 25, 2013, allowed  Anwar’s appeal to reinstate the suit against Anifah in the latter’s personal capacity.

The court (Appeals Court), however, dismissed Anwar’s appeal to reinstate his suit against Anifah in his official capacity as foreign minister and also against the government of Malaysia.    

Lawyer Muhammad Shafee Abdullah represented Anifah, while lawyer R Sivarasa appeared for Anwar.

- Bernama