The High Court today set April 14 to hear the defamation suit filed by Lembah Pantai MP Nurul Izzah Anwar against Utusan Malaysia editor-in-chief Aziz Ishak and Utusan Melayu (Malaysia) Berhad over the alleged twisting of her statement on freedom of religion.    

Judge Hue Siew Kheng set the date in chambers in the presence of Nurul Izzah’s counsel Azhana Mohd Khairudin and Raihanah Ariffin who appeared for Utusan.

Azhana, when approached by reporters, said the court set the dates April 14, 15 and 18 for the hearing.

Azhana said the case was to have been heard over three days from Jan 22 but had to be postponed because counsel Mohd Hafarizam Harun, who represented Utusan, had an election petition case to attend then.

Nurul Izzah had filed the suit on Nov 23, 2012, alleging that Aziz and Utusan had twisted her statement at a forum on the religious freedom of the Malays.

In her statement of claim, the Parti Keadilan Rakyat vice-president claimed that four articles published by the newspaper on Nov 6 and 7, 2012, contained words defamatory of her.  

Nurul Izzah is seeking a court order to have the two defendants make an apology and withdraw the alleged defamation against her, to be made within 24 hours from the date of the court order.

She is also seeking general, exemplary and aggravated damages and costs deemed fit by the court.

- Bernama