Overseas work trip defers Anwar vs PAS MP defamation trial

Summary

• Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's full defamation trial against PAS MP Awang Hashim has been postponed.

• The Kuala Lumpur High Court allows Anwar’s bid to defer the trial due to the premier’s official overseas trips.

The full trial of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s defamation suit against PAS lawmaker Awang Hashim has been postponed due to the premier’s official overseas trips.

The Kuala Lumpur High Court allowed the PKR president's bid this morning to defer the civil trial initially set for Jan 20 to 23 and Feb 12 and 13.

Counsel Sankara Nair told the media that his client Anwar applied for the adjournment, which was allowed, leading to new trial dates on Oct 26 to 29 next year.

"The plaintiff applied to adjourn the scheduled trial, the reason (being) that Anwar is scheduled to travel overseas for official work and visits during those trial dates.

"The honourable judge took note and allowed our application to adjourn the trial," the lawyer said on behalf of the Pakatan Harapan chairperson.

On March 3, 2023, Anwar filed the defamation action against Awang (above, left) over two allegations - firstly that the plaintiff allegedly abused his powers by interfering in enforcement and prosecution agencies, and secondly over the issue of the plaintiff’s appointment as the 10th prime minister.

Statement of defence

In his statement of defence, Awang cited the time difference between former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Anwar’s administrations in relation to their respective dragnets against political rivals.

Arguing that it was the time factor which he had referred to in concluding that Anwar was “more vindictive” than his predecessor, the Pendang lawmaker said Mahathir’s first act after becoming prime minister in 1981 was to release 21 detainees under the now-defunct Internal Security Act (ISA).

Awang pointed out that the infamous Operasi Lalang crackdown under the same security law during Mahathir’s tenure, which the former premier has denied orchestrating, happened six years after he took office.

On the other hand, he claimed Anwar’s political rivals were hauled to court within three months after the latter became prime minister on Nov 24, 2022.

In his reply, Anwar contended that Awang’s attempt to compare the sitting prime minister to former premier Mahathir over alleged vindictiveness in dissident crackdowns was “totally absurd”.

The Tambun MP reiterated that all investigation agencies and prosecutorial services act independently, impartially, and without fear or favour.

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