The High Court in Kuala Lumpur wants a detailed submission on Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's application to strike out several paragraphs in the statement of defence of Pandan MP Mohd Rafizi Ramli and Media Rakyat portal owner Chan Chee Kong.

Justice Noraini Abdul Rahman therefore fixed March 29 to hear further submissions on the matter.

Lawyer Mohd Hafarizam Harun, who is acting for Najib, said the parties only submitted an outline submission but the judge wants a detailed one on the matter.

"I was submitting on the matter when the judge wanted a further detailed submission," he added.

Lawyer Ranjit Singh said following this, the parties are required to submit their detailed written submissions by March 24.

Najib applied to strike out the affected paragraphs on the grounds that they were not fair comment.

Najib and his wife Rosmah Mansor filed the suit following an allegation made by Rafizi, at a ceramah, that the money saved from oil subsidies was used to purchase Rosmah's rings.

They alleged that Rafizi’s speech was recorded by Media Rakyat and uploaded by Chan or his assistant on Media Rakyat ’s YouTube and portal.

Remark is disparaging

Najib and Rosmah had filed the suit on April 16, claiming that Rafizi made a disparaging statement against them at a forum on oil subsidy in Bandar Tun Razak on Nov 22, 2014.

They alleged that Rafizi’s speech was recorded by Media Rakyat and uploaded by Chan or his assistant on Media Rakyat ’s YouTube and portal.

They further alleged that Chan had also shared the recording in Media Rakyat 's Facebook account, which could be freely accessed by internet users worldwide.

They alleged that Chan had failed to practise responsible journalism by not verifying or investigating the authenticity of the accusations in the statement before posting them.

The couple are seeking general, aggravated and exemplary damages deemed fit by the court, interest and costs.

They are also seeking an injunction to stop Rafizi, Chan and their agents from further publishing the alleged defamatory words, and/or an order for the two defendants to put up a written public apology in the newspapers and magazines.