The absence of senior counsel Muhammad Shafee Abdullah who is unwell has resulted in two court cases being postponed today.

This is despite his client International Trade and Industry Minister Mustapa Mohamed being present as early as 9am to testify in his suit against former PAS vice-president Husam Musa and his party.

Mustapa ( photo ), who has been busy handling the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement, was seen waiting within the court compound and looking at his witness statement when the case was called at 10.20am.

Justice Nor Bee Arifin wanted the case to proceed today as there had been many postponements in the past.

However, lawyer Lew Cho Kang indicated that while Husam's lawyer Mohd Fitri Khalis was present, counsel for PAS, Mohd Hanipa Maidin, was not.

Lew told the court that Shafee has another case tomorrow although Justice Nor Bee had fixed the trial dates earlier.

After Lew and Fitri saw Justice Nor Bee in her chambers, all parties agreed to meet again on Nov 30 for possible settlement.

Failing this, Jan 27 was fixed for hearing.

Mustapa, who is also suing former PAS secretary-general Mustafa Ali and former Harakah editor Zulkifli Sulong, filed the case alleging that Husam had slandered him during a political speech at the Machang Expo site in Kelantan on March 23, 2013.

The Kelantan Umno liason chief claimed that the statement meant he was a corrupt leader and politician, had no credibility, abused his power for his and Umno members’ interest.

Anwar cross-examination tomorrow

The other case postponed today due to Shafee’s absence was former opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim's ( photo ) RM100 million suit against his former tennis partner S Nallakaruppan, who is now Malaysian United Indian Party president.

Today was fixed for the cross-examination of PKR de facto leader by Shafee who is representing Nallakaruppan.

Judicial Commissioner Mohd Zaki Abdul Wahab fixed tomorrow for the cross-examination.

This is the case’s second postponement in two days.

Yesterday, the High Court in Kuala Lumpur had also postponed the scheduled cross-examination of Anwar as Shafee was taken ill.

Lawyer Sarah Abishegam for Nallakaruppan reiterated that Shafee is still unwell and hence sought a postponement.

Lawyers N Surendran, Latheefa Koya and Shahid Adli Kamaruddin appeared for Anwar.