The High Court fixed Aug 25 and 26 for hearing the defamation suit by PKR candidate for the Bukit Besi state constituency, Mohd Shamsul Mat Amin, against PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang.

The date was set by Kuala Terengganu High Court deputy registrar Rusita Md Lazim, with the plaintiff ordered to testify on the date of the trial.

Mohd Shamsul and his lawyer Alias Ibrahim were present in court today, while Abdul Hadi, as defendant, and his lawyer, were absent.

On Feb 23, the High Court ordered Abdul Hadi to pay RM2 million in compensation to Mohd Shamsul after failing to respond to the suit filed by the plaintiff.

However, on April 14, the High Court set aside a default judg ment against Adul Hadi after finding the writ of summons filed by Mohd Shamsul, as plaintiff, on Feb 17 was not in accordance with court procedure.

Mohd Shamsul took the action after Abdul Hadi issued a statement citing a PKR candidate had sold methamphetamine pills before the 13th general election last year as a reason for PAS to field its candidate for the Bukit Besi seat, resulting in a three-cornered fight.

In his statement of claim, Mohd Shamsul alleged that Abdul Hadi’s speech during a ceramah at Kampung Tebakang Alor Limbat, Marang, on April 22, 2013 affected his dignity and that of his family, as well as his reputation as a candidate and businessman.

The plaintiff, who is a housing developer, also claimed to have faced a long-term emotional and mental stress after being ridiculed by society.

In the 13th general election, Barisan Nasional (BN) defended the Bukit Besi seat through Roslee Daud by obtaining 6,966 votes to defeat PAS candidate Roslan Ismail (4,408) and Mohd Shamsul with 52 votes.

- Bernama