The High Court in Kuala Lumpur today set July 18 and August 12 to hear the defamation suit filed by opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim against Utusan Melayu (Malaysia) Bhd and its group editor-in-chief over his comments to the BBC.  

Mohd Hafarizam Harun appeared for Utusan and Abdul Aziz Ishak and Latheefa Koya represented Anwar before Judge VT Singgam.     

Anwar filed the suit on Jan 20, claiming the defendants had published an article on his recent statement in a BBC interview regarding Malaysia’s laws on homosexuals.

He is claiming RM50 million in aggravated and exemplary damages and other relief deemed fit by the court.

Anwar is further seeking an injunction to ban the defendants from uttering or publishing further defamatory statements against him.    

- Bernama