KUALA LUMPUR: The High Court here yesterday fixed June 19 to hear an application by opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to strike out Malaysian Indian United Party (MUIP) president Datuk S.Nallakaruppan’s defence in a libel suit filed by the opposition leader in 2008.
Deputy Registrar Fatimah Rubi’ah Ali set the date in chambers in the presence of lawyers Latheefa Koya, representing Anwar, and Nurul Nabila Zamri, who appeared on behalf of Nallakaruppan’s lawyer, Datuk Seri Datuk Seri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah.
Latheefa told reporters that the June 19 hearing would be held before Judge Datuk Su Geok Yiam.
She said Anwar filed to strike Nallakaruppan’s defence on grounds that it was petty, a mere denial and an abuse of the court process.
Anwar filed the suit on Aug 25, 2008 over an alleged derogatory remark by Nallakaruppan in an article, ‘Anwar terima RM60 juta’ (Anwar receives RM60 million) which was published in the Mingguan Malaysia and Sinar Harian newspapers in Aug 2008.
In his defence, Nallakaruppan said there was no malicious intent and it was made under qualified privilege. — Bernama