Judge Nordin Hassan fixed April 24 to 26 for the hearing after the case management today, which was held in chambers and attended by lawyers Nor Emelia Mohd Iszeham, representing Najib, and Villie Nethi, for Dr Ling.
Meanwhile, on Dr Ling’s application to strike out the suit by the prime minister, Nor Emilia told reporters that the matter was still pending as the court was still waiting for a decision by the Federal Court on an appeal case involving Bandar Kuching Member of Parliament Chong Chieng Jen on the issue of locus standi.
The court is to decide whether an individual holding public office could file a defamation suit in his personal capacity.
Najib filed the suit against Dr Ling on Oct 27, 2015, alleging that the former transport minister had made libellous remarks against him in an article carried by the news portal.
In his statement of claim, Najib said Dr Ling had falsely and maliciously made the libellous statement at an event at a university college here and the statement was carried in an article on the news portal on Oct 3, 2015.
On July 18, 2016, the court allowed an application by Najib to set aside an affidavit by former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad that was filed in support of Dr Ling’s application to strike out the suit.