The High Court in Kuala Lumpur today fixed Dec 1 to hear the striking out application filed by Tengku Sariffuddin Tengku Ahmad, the press aide to Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak, on a defamation suit filed by former Kedah menteri besar Mukhriz Mahathir.

The date was fixed by judicial commissioner Roslan Abu Bakar in chambers after case management. Initially, today was fixed to hear the striking out application.

Roslan also fixed the same date for case management of the main suit and also for Mukhriz's application for Tengku Sariffuddin to furnish better particulars.

Tengku Sharifuddin was represented by lawyer Ooi She Yi, while Ilyani Noor Khuszairy appeared for Mukhriz.

Both lawyers informed reporters that Roslan also suggested the parties explore the possibility of mediation.

“We will seek instructions from our clients on this,” they said.

Tengku Sariffuddin in his striking out application claimed there was no reasonable cause of action and the suit is frivolous, vexatious and an abuse of the court process.

Last May, Mukhriz filed the suit against the PM's aide following press statements dated April 15 and 26. He held the statements alleged he was conspiring with his father, Dr Mahathir Mohamad, and former deputy prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin, to topple a lawful government.

Mukhriz alleged the statements suggested that he would be given the prime minister's post once Muhyiddin steps down after replacing Najib as prime minister.

The former menteri besar alleged that Tengku Sariffuddin painted a picture that Mukhriz was crazy for power and would do anything to achieve his ambition to become prime minister, including cheating, which is against the democratic process.