The suit is over a claim Puad made that the former prime minister had refused to undergo a mandatory Covid-19 quarantine two years ago.

Puad’s lawyer Shahrul Fazli Kamarulzaman was reported by Berita Harian as saying that the trial dates were set by senior assistant registrar Haslinda A Raof during case management today.

He added the court will hear Muhyiddin’s and Puad’s applications to amend their statement of claim and defence, respectively, on April 11.

Puad is being sued by Muhyiddin over a Facebook post titled “Kuarantin Pun Ada Dua Darjat”.

Muhyiddin contends that Puad’s post implied that he refused to undergo a 10-day quarantine upon his return from an official visit to Indonesia on Feb 5 last year.

He says the post – which was deleted by order of the court – contained statements which were plainly untrue, unsubstantiated and mischievous, and were defamatory of him.

According to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office at the time, Muhyiddin was required to undergo home quarantine and wear a Covid-19 quarantine wristband.

Muhyiddin is seeking general, exemplary and aggravated damages from Puad.