KUALA LUMPUR: The trial in the defamation suit filed by Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim against Pendang member of parliament (MP) Datuk Awang Solahuddin Hashim is set to begin in July 2026.
This was confirmed by the prime minister's lawyer, Datuk Sankara Nair, after case management today.
He said High Court judge Datuk Ahmad Shahrir Mohd Salleh had directed both side to complete their pre-trial documents by Nov 30 this year and to file interlocutory applications, if any, within one month from Aug 2.
He also confirmed that the judge had fixed July 13, 14, 15, 16, 20 and 21 for the trial in 2026.
Sankara said Ahmad Shahrir had also fixed Nov 30 for the next case management.
Anwar, 75, filed the defamation suit against the Pas MP on March 3 this year.
The suit was over Awang's allegedly defamatory remark claiming that Anwar is more vindictive than former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
The remark was allegedly made at a press conference outside the Dewan Rakyat in late February this year.
Anwar, in his claim, contended that Awang's remarks were malicious, untrue, defamatory and slanderous.
He is seeking general compensatory, aggravated and exemplary damages from the defendant.
