The defamation suit by Lembah Pantai member of Parliament Nurul Izzah Anwar against Utusan Group editor-in-chief Aziz Ishak and Utusan Melayu (Malaysia) will go on trial after the two parties failed to reach an agreement in mediation today.

Counsel for Aziz and Utusan, Mohd Hafarizam Harun, when met by reporters said both parties agreed to proceed with the trial and the trial dates were fixed for Aug 21 and 22.

The mediation, conducted in High Court Judge Hasnah Mohamed Hashim’s chambers, was also attended by counsel Azhana Mohd Khairuddin representing Nurul Izzah.

The mediation proceedings were attended by Nurul Izzah and Aziz.

On Nov 23, 2012, Nurul Izzah filed a suit against Aziz and Utusan as the first and second defendants for distorting her statement in a forum on religious freedom for Malays.

According to her statement of claims, Nurul Izzah, who is PKR vice-president, alleged that four articles containing defamatory words against her were published in Utusan Malaysia on Nov 5 and 7 in 2012.

She also sought an order for the two defendants to apologise and withdraw the defamations against her in 24 hours from the date of the order apart from seeking against general damages, exemplary damages and extreme damages and costs deemed fit by the court.

- Bernama