THE hearing of Muslim preacher Zakir Naik’s defamation suit against Ipoh Barat member of Parliament M. Kula Segaran, will begin in March next year.

Zakir’s counsel, Akberdin Abdul Kader, when contacted, said Kuala Lumpur High Court judicial commissioner Quay Chew Soon fixed March 22-24 for the hearing when the matter came up for case management today via e-review.

On November 27, 2019, Zakir filed a suit against Kula Segaran over his remarks that allegedly opened him to public ridicule and portrayed him as a threat to national security.

In the statement of claim, Zakir is seeking compensation and damages from Kula Segaran as well as an injunction prohibiting him from publishing and distributing four defamatory news articles in any medium.

He also wants an apology to be issued and published in newspapers and news portals within seven days from when the notice is served.

Zakir claims that the remarks made about him by the defendant are malicious, spurious and defamatory. – Bernama, August 13, 2021.