(Shah Alam, July 30) The trial in the Mahathir defamation suit against Anwar Ibrahim has been on hold since early this year, after the 101-year-old former prime minister fell at his home and was admitted to the National Heart Institute. Medical experts will present their latest assessment of his fitness to resume the trial at an online case management session on Friday, July 31, before High Court Judicial Commissioner Datuk Donald.
Why the Trial Was Suspended
Lawyer Rafique, who represents Mahathir, said the former prime minister had been receiving care at IJN since a fall at his home in January. The fall took place as he was stepping off a treadmill after completing his routine exercise, on his way to his office. He was taken to IJN as an emergency, and the trial proceedings were suspended at around the same time to allow him to focus on recovery. Rafique noted that given Mahathir's age and current medical condition, resuming the hearing was not something that could happen easily.
Health and Age
The former prime minister, who turned 101 on July 10, 2026, remains at IJN. On Friday, doctors will provide a medical update to the court, addressing whether he is prepared and fit enough to resume his role as plaintiff in the ongoing proceedings.
The Remarks at the Centre of the Case
The Mahathir defamation suit against Anwar traces back to a speech made at a PKR special national congress on March 18, 2023. Speaking before party members, Anwar made reference to a person who had "held power for 22 years and an additional 22 months" and had allegedly used that position to benefit himself and his family. Mahathir, whose first term as Prime Minister spanned approximately 22 years from 1981 to 2003 and whose second term lasted around 22 months from 2018 to 2020, argued the remarks were directed at him. He alleged that Anwar's statements had depicted him as racist and as someone who had used his years in power to enrich himself and his family, causing damage to his name and reputation.
The RM150 Million Claim and Apology Demands
Mahathir is seeking RM100 million in exemplary damages and RM50 million in general damages from Anwar, totalling RM150 million. He is also demanding a written apology from Anwar and requires that Anwar hold a dedicated press conference to publicly retract and apologise for the remarks that gave rise to the suit.
Next Case Management Date
The next case management for the Mahathir defamation suit against Anwar is set for Friday, July 31, and will be held online. The medical assessment due that day will play a key role in determining whether the trial can resume in the near future.
