The Kuala Lumpur High Court today issued a 'prospective order' against both Kalimullah Masherul Hassan and Matthias Chang Wen Chieh to restrain them from making any statements in the media against each other until the hearing of the civil suit.

The suit, involving a RM50 million claim by Kalimullah and a RM100 million counter-claim by Chang, pertain to purported comments made by the latter at a press conference on June 13, 2006.

Kalimullah (right) had on June 20 sent Chang (left) a letter of demand seeking a full apology for the "series of personal attacks" allegedly made against him during that press conference.

When Chang did not respond, he filed a RM50 million defamation suit and obtained an interim injunction against him on July 4.

Today's order was issued by Justice Kang Hwee Gee after more than an hour's discussion in chambers between Chang and his lawyers and those of Kalimullah, who is New Straits Times Press Bhd deputy chairperson.

Lawyers from both parties declined to reveal details of the discussion. However, it is learnt that the gist of Chang's defence would rest on the argument of "justification, fair comment, and in the public interest".

Meanwhile, lawyer Manjit Singh Saini said Chang, the former political secretary to ex-premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad, had filed the counter suit together with his defence against Kalimullah's suit a few days ago.

"The status quo is not to make any allegations against each other until the trial, for which a date has yet to be fixed," Manjit told reporters when met outside the court.

Since mid-April, Chang has publicly supported Mahathir in seeking explanations from premier Abdullah Ahmad Badawi over the cancellation of the half-bridge project to Singapore, issuance of Approved Permits for car imports and the 'fire-sale' of motorcycle company MV Agusta Motors.

Kalimullah was not present, while Chang kept his distance from the press after emerging from the judge's chambers.