The anticipated testimony by Sungai Besar Umno division chief Jamal Md Yunos in a defamation suit by former Bersih chairperson Maria Chin Abdullah did not materialise today as he was still under remand in connection with a firearms offence.

Following this, Kuala Lumpur High Court judge Mohd Zaki Abdul Wahab postponed the trial to July 23 and 24.

The hearing was fixed for today until Monday and it proceeded with Pasir Gudang MP Hassan Karim testifying for about 20 minutes.

Jamal's lawyer Mohd Nasir Yusof told the court that although his client's remand is until tomorrow, he was uncertain whether his client would be released.

According to him, Jamal was being investigated under Firearms Act 1960, and for two other similar allegations.

"So there is a possibility that the remand may extend to next week," Nasir added.

Maria's lawyers, Latheefa Koya and N Surendran, told the judge that the latter has a sedition appeal at the Court of Appeal on Monday and both won't be able to attend.

Justice Zaki told all parties that the court would not entertain any more postponements.

It was reported on Tuesday that Jamal was remanded at a hospital in Ampang for a firearms case. 

Earlier under cross-examination, Hassan, who is a lawyer, said he and Maria's late husband Yunos Lebai Ali, were ordinary members of the Universiti Malaya's Socialist Club in the early 1970s but they believed in the democratic way to challenge the government.

"The socialist club was registered under the Registrar of Societies," he added.

Hassan testified that they supported the struggle of the people of Vietnam who were at war with the US, but did not support their ideals.

Maria, who is now Petaling Jaya MP, filed the suit against Jamal for accusing the Bersih electoral watchdog of being infiltrated by Islamic State element.