THE trial of Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s RM150 million defamation suit against Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim began in Shah Alam today but was adjourned shortly after, following health-related concerns raised by the 100-year-old former prime minister.
Appearing as the first witness in the civil suit, Dr Mahathir informed High Court judicial commissioner Datuk Donald Joseph Franklin that he was unwell and still recovering from medical treatment.
“I am not fully functioning because I am on medication. I have not regained my strength properly,” he told the court.
His lawyer, Muhammad Rafique Rashid Ali, had just completed examination-in-chief when he requested the adjournment. Anwar’s counsel, Ranjit Singh, did not object to the application.
Upon being asked by the judicial commissioner whether he was fit to proceed with further questioning, Dr Mahathir responded in the negative. The court then ruled for proceedings to resume on Thursday.
Speaking briefly to the media outside the courtroom, Rafique said Dr Mahathir was in good spirits despite needing rest.
“He is well, but he needs a bit of rest. So, he has taken a half-day off, but he will be back, fit again. On Thursday, he will be cross-examined by the defendant’s (Anwar’s) lawyer,” he said.
Dr Mahathir had arrived at the Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah Court Complex at approximately 9.35am. Clad in a grey suit and blue necktie, he took the witness stand at 10.38am, where he took his oath and signed his witness statement. He left the courthouse at around 11.04am without addressing the media.
In his lawsuit filed in May 2023, Dr Mahathir contends that Anwar defamed him by making remarks at Parti Keadilan Rakyat’s (PKR) special national congress on 18 March 2023. The statements allegedly accused Dr Mahathir of being a racist and of using his 22 years in power to enrich himself and his family.
Anwar, who did not mention Mahathir by name, referred to someone who “had been in power for 22 years and another 22 months,” and accused this individual of lamenting the state of the Malays only after losing power, despite having allegedly misused that power previously.
Dr Mahathir has denied any wrongdoing, stating in court that he has never been accused or convicted of any abuse of power or misappropriation of funds, whether during or after his time as prime minister.
He added that Anwar’s remarks were baseless and relied on unverified media reports and hearsay.
“It is important that the prime minister ensures every statement he makes is based on facts, not merely rumours or media narratives,” he said, adding that his financial affairs had always been properly audited.
Dr Mahathir is seeking RM100 million in exemplary damages and RM50 million in general damages. He is also demanding a written apology and a public press conference in which Anwar must apologise for the remarks in question. - October 21, 2025
