The High Court in Kuala Lumpur has fixed May 24 for the hearing of an inter-parte injunction application by Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak in a defamation suit against Petaling Jaya Utara MP Tony Pua.

This is over a video that Pua had posted on Facebook live on April 6, alleging that amendments to the Syariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act 1965 (Act 355) was used to divert attention over 1MDB.

Judicial commissioner Wan Ahmad Farid Wan Salleh fixed the date in chambers after meeting lawyers representing both parties.

While filing the suit 14 days ago, Najib had obtained an ex-parte injunction barring the DAP national publicity secretary from repeating the purported defamatory words.

Pua's lawyer Joanne Chua today said the ex-parte injunction lapses after 21 days, on May 12. However, the court allowed the injunction be extended until the disposal of the inter-parte hearing on May 24. 

Najib's lawyer Nik Alia Hanadi confirmed the new hearing date and the extension of the injunction.

Nik Alia also explained that one of the orders sought in the suit was for the purported defamatory video to be removed and the injunction obtained is to prevent Pua from repeating or cease to publish the defamatory words again.

According to Chua, today was supposed to be the hearing of an inter-parte injunction, but the date was unsuitable for lead counsel Gobind Singh Deo.

The PM filed the defamation suit against Pua, stating the words uttered by the DAP lawmaker had meant that he (Najib) had abused his powers by directing the cabinet, through the Dewan Rakyat speaker, to see the tabling of amendments to Act 355 by PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang. 

Najib claimed Pua insinuated that he had disregarded the principle of separation of powers between the executive, legislature and judiciary.

The PM further alleged that Pua's assertions had implied that he had conspired with PAS to split Malay votes among the opposition, and that he practiced dirty politics to remain in power. 

Pua's words had also meant, Najib claimed, that he had "robbed" 1MDB funds and would continue to commit criminal acts to rob from the people, and that he had betrayed Malaysians, and that he would continue to lie to the people in relation to 1MDB.

He further claimed that Pua's comments had also suggested that he abused his position as the chairperson of the board of advisors in 1MDB, and that he had abused his power as PM and finance minister, and that he is a cruel leader who practices kleptocratic administration in the country.

Following this, Najib was seeking aggravated, exemplary and general damages, as well as costs, for the "malice" in Pua's action.

This was the second suit filed by Najib against Pua.

On the other hand, Pua had in January this year, also filed a misfeasance in public office legal action against Najib.