According to The Edge, the proceedings are related to Mahathir’s remarks at a press conference on Dec 5 after the nonagenarian testified in his defamation suit against Zahid.

Judicial Commissioner Gan Techiong granted the leave after hearing the application from Zahid’s counsel Shahrul Fazli Kamarulzaman in chambers today.

Shahrul said the application was made ex parte and that the necessary documents would be filed against Mahathir soon.

During the Dec 5 press conference, Mahathir had shown copies of his identity card and birth certificate as well as copies of his children’s birth certificates.

Zahid claimed the press conference had breached the sub judice rule, potentially affecting or impairing the integrity and independence of the judiciary in administering justice.

Mahathir is suing Zahid over the deputy prime minister’s alleged use of the name Kutty, which the former prime minister said was intended as a derogatory reference to him.

In his statement of claim, he said Zahid made the allegedly defamatory remark at an Umno divisional meeting in Kelana Jaya, Selangor, on July 30, 2017.

He claimed the remark implied that he was not born a Malay or a Muslim, and that his original name was Mahathir son of Iskandar Kutty.

It also implied that the name Mahathir Mohamad was used to profit himself politically and personally.

In his defence, Zahid said the name referred to an individual based on information contained in a copy of an old identity card.