The High Court Kuala Lumpur has set June 26 for case management of Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak’s 1MDB defamation suit against Harakah and Harakahdaily.

Justice Hue Siew Kheng set the date in chambers today, during which Najib’s counsel Abu Bakar As-Sidek Mohd Sidek and that from the defendants’ side were present.

On March 20, Najib sued Harakah managing director Dr Rosli Yaakob and Harakahdaily portal chief editor Taufek Yahya relating to the article written by Rosli on Feb 19 with the heading ‘Dana 1MDB biayai syarikat filem Riza Aziz? (Bhg 2)’.

In his statement of claim, Najib alleged that the publication of the article had damaged his reputation and caused him to be condemned by the social media and the mass media.

The prime minister alleged that the defendants had intentionally published the article for their own agenda, to destroy the people’s confidence and trust in him.

Najib also alleged that Taufek had failed to practice responsible journalism by not verifying the authenticity of the article before publishing it.

In this suit, Najib is seeking general damages, aggravated damages, exemplary damages, benefits as well as an injunction to restrain the defendants or their assistants from publishing the article.

- Bernama