
Hearing of Ahmad Zahid's committal proceeding against Tun Mahathir postponed to July 21
The proceedings concern Dr Mahathir's actions in holding a press conference on Dec 5 last year at the lobby of the Kuala Lumpur Court Complex, during which he displayed several documents, including his identity card, after giving his testimony in his lawsuit against the UMNO president regarding the 'kutty' issue.
Judicial Commissioner Gan Techiong allowed the hearing to be postponed after Dr Mahathir's lawyer, Mior Nor Haidir Suhaimi, informed the court that his legal team required time to review Ahmad Zahid's affidavit-in-reply, which they only received yesterday (May 21).
'We need to seek instructions from our client regarding the contents of the affidavit, and my client is currently in Langkawi attending the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (LIMA'25).
'Therefore, we request that today's proceedings be postponed. I believe the defendant's counsel has no objection,' he said.
Lawyer Mohamed Shahrul Fazli Kamarulzaman, representing Ahmad Zahid, confirmed submitting the affidavit yesterday and did not object to the postponement.
Meanwhile, the court set new dates, from July 22 to 24, for the trial of the suit and June 19 for the case management.
Dr Mahathir had completed giving his testimony in the lawsuit proceedings on Dec 5 last year, while his son, Datuk Seri Mukhriz, who was the plaintiff's last witness, on Dec 9.
Dr Mahathir, 99, sued Ahmad Zahid, 72, for allegedly issuing defamatory statements against him regarding the 'kutty' issue.
Based on the statement of claim filed on July 20, 2022, Dr Mahathir claimed that Ahmad Zahid issued a defamatory statement against him during the UMNO Division meeting in Kelana Jaya on July 30, 2017 and that the statement was republished on Astro Awani's YouTube and several online news portals, which can be accessed by internet users without any restrictions. — BERNAMA
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles

Barnama
2 hours ago
- Barnama
UMNO Must Lead Digital Narrative, Reach Youth To Stay Relevant– Zambry
KUALA LUMPUR, July 27 (Bernama) -- UMNO must lead in shaping the digital narrative, strengthen its presence on new media and engage young voters to remain relevant, UMNO Supreme Council member Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir said today. He said politics has entered the digital era in which information, perceptions and sentiments are rapidly shaped through social media and online platforms. 'This new challenge requires UMNO to adopt fresher, more flexible and pragmatic approaches. We cannot remain bound by the old ways,' he said in a Facebook post.


Free Malaysia Today
3 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Umno must act on principle even if unpopular, says Zahid
Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi called for party members to take BN's failure to form the government in the past two general elections as a lesson and turning point to rebuild the party's strength. (Bernama pic) RAUB : Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said that in today's challenging political landscape, decisions made by the party are aimed at ensuring the country's stability and future, even if those decisions are unpopular. Explaining the matter when officiating the Raub Umno division delegates' meeting, he emphasised that in any struggle, not all decisions taken will be comfortable, but they must be principled. 'No matter how high our position is in the party or government, we must realise that every post is a trust that must be carried out with full responsibility,' he said. Zahid, who is also Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman and deputy prime minister, said what Umno needs most right now is unity of purpose and a strong fighting spirit, without faltering when tested. He also reminded party members to take Umno and BN's failure to form the government in the past two general elections as a lesson and turning point to rebuild the party's strength. 'We have been tested twice in the general elections… enough of the divisions, quarrels, shooting at each other, and hidden saboteurs within. 'Let us learn from past weaknesses and fix Umno and BN from within. Hopefully, we can be dominant once again,' he said. At a press conference later, Zahid said Umno would look into whether any of its members had participated in the rally held in Kuala Lumpur yesterday. 'Umno is now part of the unity government, and we must strengthen, not undermine, the government that is in place,' he said.


The Sun
6 hours ago
- The Sun
Umno decisions focus on national stability, says Ahmad Zahid
RAUB: Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi stated that the party's decisions, even if unpopular, are made to safeguard the nation's stability and future. Speaking at the Raub Umno Division Delegates' Meeting, he emphasised that leadership roles demand responsibility and principled choices. 'No matter how high our position is in the party or government, we must realise that every post is a trust that must be carried out with full responsibility,' he said. Ahmad Zahid, who is also Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman and Deputy Prime Minister, called for unity and resilience among members to rebuild the party's strength after electoral setbacks. He urged Umno members to learn from past failures, referencing the party's inability to form the government in the last two general elections. 'Enough of the divisions, quarrels, shooting at each other, and hidden saboteurs within. Let us learn from past weaknesses and fix Umno and Barisan Nasional from within,' he said. At a press conference later, Ahmad Zahid addressed concerns about Umno members participating in a recent rally in Kuala Lumpur. 'Umno is now part of the MADANI Government, and we must strengthen, not undermine, the government that is in place,' he said. – Bernama