Hilman filed a defamation suit against Asheeq in the sessions court last year for linking him to a rape case.

The two-term Gombak Setia assemblyman claimed that the paragraphs in question were hearsay and irrelevant to the defamation suit.

“The plaintiff believes the contents of those paragraphs are made in bad faith and they are an attempt to undermine the plaintiff,” Hilman said in his strike-out application to the court.

Asheeq said that his remarks linking Hilman to the rape case were justified as he was voicing out his client’s demand for the authorities to take action against the perpetrators.

The impugned paragraphs in Asheeq’s defence statement touch on an alleged rape incident on Dec 5, 2020.

“Paragraphs 16.6 to 16.7 imply that I was involved in the rape incident with the woman,” Hilman said. “However I was never investigated nor charged in court for the alleged offence.”

A man known as Mohd Zulfahimin Mahdzir was subsequently charged in the sessions court here on Sept 3, 2021 with raping the woman.

Hilman also contended that Asheeq “took advantage” through his defence statement to create stories against him.

He is seeking damages and an apology from Asheeq in the lawsuit.

Sessions judge Lailatul Zuraida Harron @ Harun fixed Feb 18 for mention of Hilman’s strike-out application.