PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang has been ordered to pay RM2 million to Dungun PKR Youth chief Mohd Shamsul Mat Amin.

The Kuala Terengganu High Court handed down the judgment in default on Feb 17 after Abdul Hadi failed to turn up for mention of the defamation suit for three days.

Mohd Shamsul's lawyer A Vasudevan said the judgment was recorded as Abdul Hadi had failed to file a defence or submit a memorandum of attendance, according to a Berita Harian report today.

Abdul Hadi was also ordered to pay interest of five percent per annum on top of RM1,500 in costs.

The defamation suit was in relation to a ceramah during campaigning for the 13th general election last year.

In justifying PAS' decision to place its candidate in seats being contested by its allies, Abdul Hadi had accused some Pakatan Rakyat candidates of pushing drugs (pil kuda).

Mohd Shamsul (left) said the remarks at a ceramah in Kampung Tebakang, Marang, Terengganu, had insinuated that PKR candidates were selling drugs and that this had affected his dignity and reputation.

Mohd Shamsul, a housing developer, was PKR's candidate for the Bukit Besi state seat in Terengganu. He only garnered 52 votes to PAS' 4,408 votes, but BN won with 6,966 votes.

Mohd Shamsul had sent a letter of demand to Abdul Hadi, asking for a public apology. In his statement of claim, he said Abdul Hadi had caused him emotional and mental distress, and to be ridiculed in the public eye.