Defamation suit hearing against Hadi Awang postponed to Dec 7

KUALA TERENGGANU: The Kuala Terengganu High Court has fixed Dec 7, for final hearing of a RM2 million defamation suit by former PKR Bukit Besi state assemblyman Mohd Shamsul Mat Amin against PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang.
Justice Datuk Mohd Yazid Mustafa made the decision, following the failure of the plaintiff to produce a witness from the Kosmo newspaper to testify for the second time.
Abdul Hadi, who was not present at the High Court was represented by counsel, Asmuni Awi.
Asmuni, when met outside the court said the court had to postpone the hearing as a warrant of arrest could not be served on the plaintiff's witness from the newspaper.
At the hearing on Oct 28, Abdul Hadi and Alur Limbat state assemblyman Ariffin Deraman had testified as defence witnesses while the plaintiff called Bandar state assemblyman Azan Ismail to the stand.
About 300 supporters of Abdul Hadi gathered at the court's compound this morning as a show of support.
On Feb 23, Abdul Hadi was ordered by the High Court to pay RM2 million as damages to Mohd Shamsul in default, after the PAS president failed to respond to his suit on Dec 5 last year.
Mohd Shamsul took the action after Abdul Hadi issued a statement that since a PKR candidate was selling methamphetamine before the last general election, it was a reason to put up a PAS candidate in the Bukit Besi state constituency, which saw a three-cornered fight in the contest.
In his statement of claim, Mohd Shamsul also alleged a speech by Abdul Hadi at a ceramah in Kampung Tebakang Alor Limbat, Marang on April 22, last year had affected his dignity and that of his family, as well as his reputation as a candidate and businessman. – Bernama