KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and former MCA president Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik are attempting mediation to resolve a defamation suit linked to the RM2.6 billion donation issue.
Najib's lead counsel Datuk Mohd Hafarizam Harun confirmed that both parties are agreeable with High Court judge Datuk John Louis O'hara sending the matter to the Mediation Centre here.
Hafarizam said Najib would also file his reply to Dr Ling's defence tomorrow.
"I will also seek instruction from Najib on whether to file any interlocutory application," said Hafarizam.
Under Malaysian law, an interlocutory application is a bid sought in relation to a main suit, such as an application to strike out a plaintiff's suit or remove parts of a defendant's defence.
Hafarizam also said the High Court set Feb 18 for further case management of the lawsuit.
Najib, who is also Barisan Nasional president, filed the defamation suit on Oct 27 last year over Dr Ling's allegation that he (Najib) had "taken people's money" in relation to the RM2.6 billion donation issue.