SHAH ALAM: Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad will inform the High Court on Dec 4 how he intends to proceed with his RM150 million defamation suit against Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Dr Mahathir's lawyer, Muhammad Rafique Rashid Ali, said he had asked the court to give his client time to decide how to proceed in view of his current condition.
"We are all aware of Dr Mahathir's condition. I have asked the court to give him time and space to decide on the way forward.
"We will return to court on Dec 4 for case management to inform the court of his next step," he said.
The case management will be held before judicial commissioner Datuk Donald Joseph Franklin, who has been presiding over the trial.
Rafique also raised concerns about Dr Mahathir's fitness and stamina, given his age and medical condition.
He had considered applying for the proceedings to be conducted online and for the scope of cross-examination to be limited.
Dr Mahathir was absent from the SG4 Business and Economic Forum 2026 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre yesterday due to ill health.
The trial was put on hold in January after Dr Mahathir suffered a fall.
He was admitted to the National Heart Institute on Jan 6 for observation and treatment. He turned 101 on July 10.
In the suit, Dr Mahathir alleges that Anwar defamed him by accusing him of being racist and enriching himself and his family during his 22-year tenure as prime minister.
Dr Mahathir claimed the statements were made during a speech at PKR's special national congress at Stadium Melawati in Shah Alam on March 18, 2023.
Anwar allegedly referred to an individual who had been in power for "22 years and an additional 22 months", accusing the person of using his position to enrich himself and his family.
Dr Mahathir is seeking RM100 million in exemplary damages and RM50 million in general damages. He is also seeking a written apology and a special press conference at which Anwar would publicly apologise for the alleged defamatory statements.
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