The High Court is expected to receive an update on Friday regarding Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s health and whether he is fit to resume his RM150 million defamation lawsuit against Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Dr Mahathir’s lawyer, Muhammad Rafique Rashid Ali, said an online case management session will be held before Judicial Commissioner Datuk Donald Joseph Franklin.
Rafique said the former prime minister remains under the care of the National Heart Institute (IJN), with medical specialists expected to provide an assessment of his readiness to continue the trial.
“Dr Mahathir is still under the care of the National Heart Institute, and the specialists are expected to provide an update on Friday regarding his readiness and fitness to resume the trial,” he said, adding that the assessment would be challenging given Dr Mahathir’s age and medical condition.
The two-time former prime minister turned 101 on July 10.
The trial was adjourned earlier this year after Dr Mahathir suffered a fall while exercising at home. He was admitted to the National Heart Institute on Jan 6 for observation and treatment.
According to Rafique, the incident occurred as Dr Mahathir was stepping off a treadmill after completing his routine brisk walk before heading to his office.
In the lawsuit, Dr Mahathir alleges that Anwar defamed him by accusing him of being racist and of enriching himself and his family during his 22-year tenure as prime minister.
He claims the statements were made during Anwar’s speech at PKR’s Special National Congress at Melawati Stadium, Shah Alam, on March 18, 2023.
During the speech, Anwar allegedly referred to an individual who had ruled the country for “22 years and another 22 months” and accused that person of abusing power to enrich himself and his family.
Dr Mahathir is seeking RM100 million in exemplary damages, RM50 million in general damages, as well as a written apology and a special press conference for Anwar to publicly apologise over the alleged remarks.
