Lawyer R Kengadharan, who is appearing for the plaintiffs, Sabahans Maklin Masiau and Lawrence Jomiji Kinsil @ Maximilhian, said Hadi’s lawyer had informed the court about it but he had yet to receive a copy of the application.

“Hadi’s lawyer (Yusfarizal Yussoff) only informed the judge he has filed the application without an affidavit in support from his client who is in Kuala Terengganu,” Kengadharan told FMT after a case management via a virtual hearing before Judge Akhtar Tahir.

Kengadharan said Yusfarizal informed the judge that the affidavit would be filed on Monday.

It is unclear on what grounds Hadi wanted to annul the suit and FMT has attempted to reach Yusfarizal.

Akhtar directed the Sabahans to file a reply to Hadi’s application by Feb 22. He has also ordered parties to file their written submissions by March 11 with oral submissions to be heard on April 19.

Akhtar has also fixed a case management for the main suit on the same day.

Maklin, 48, and Lawrence, 64, want a declaration that Hadi had committed the offence under Section 3 of the Sedition Act, and a declaration that he is unfit to hold any position in government.

Hadi, who is a special envoy to the Middle East, is also the Marang MP.

In their originating summons, the duo claimed Hadi made a seditious statement in the PAS organ Harakah on Jan 18, 2016 against Christians and/or Christian missionaries.

“It has been more than four years since the defendant (Hadi) issued the statement but no prosecution has been brought against him,” they said.

In their affidavit to support their action, they also said Hadi’s statement was also published by FMT on the same day.

“We respectfully believe that the defendant has made an unfounded statement and cast aspersions on Christians and/or Christian missionaries which has become a matter of public interest,” they added.