Lawyers appearing for Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak and former MCA president Dr Ling Liong Sik have agreed that the suit filed with regard to Ling's call to the prime minister to step down be set for mediation.

Najib is scheduled to file his affidavit in reply to Ling's defence and counter-claim.

Najib's lawyer Mohd Hafarizam Harun said both parties have agreed to go for mediation at the mediation centre.

"Any interlocutory application, including if there is any application to strike out the suit, will have to be filed within 14 days from today.

"The next case management has been fixed for Feb 18," Hafarizam told reporters after the case management before Kuala Lumpur High Court judge John Louis O' Hara.

Hafarizam said he would seek instructions from Najib if any application is to be filed in the meantime.

Najib filed the suit for defamation following a report carried by a news portal that quoted Ling calling for the resignation of Najib as prime minister over allegations of funds entering into the prime minister's personal bank accounts.

Najib, who is also Umno president, complained that the words uttered by Ling meant that he had abused his powers, was not qualified to be the leader of the government, that he was involved in a scandalous or financial conspiracy and that he was not fit to be the BN chairperson.

Written apology also sought

Najib is seeking general, aggravated and exemplary damages from the former MCA president, besides a written apology.

Following the suit, Ling filed his defence and counter-claim , questioning why he was singled out for the suit as there were other Umno politicians calling for the prime minister's resignation, but were not sued by Najib.

Ling, a former transport minister, pointed out in his defence that former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad was Najib's staunchest critic, and had made various statements questioning the PM's integrity.

Mahathir accused Najib of lying to the public, theft, bribery, money-laundering and undermining the constitution and legal system of Malaysia. The former prime minister, Ling stated, had also repeatedly called on Najib to resign as PM.