FOREIGN MINISTER SUCCEEDS IN STRIKING OUT US$32.5 MILLION SUIT

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 7 (Bernama) -- Foreign Minister Anifah Aman succeeded in his
application at the High Court here Thursday, to strike out opposition Parti
Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) advisor Anwar Ibrahim's RM100 million (US$32.556 million)
defamation suit over the former's claim that the opposition leader had attempted
to lure him to join PKR by offering him a top government post last year.

Justice John Louis O'Hara allowed Anifah's application with costs in a decision
at his chambers Thursday.

In the suit, Anwar who named Anifah in his personal and official capacities, as
well as the government, as defendants.

The opposition leader alleged that the minister on May 16 last year, during a
press conference at the State Department in Washington had said he (Anwar)
attempted to lure him to join PKR by offering him a top government post.

The plaintif in his statement of claim stated that Anifah's claims were
baseless, unfounded and grossly negligent.

He also claimed that the statement among others, instigated public hatred
against him and lowered his esteem in the eyes of the public.

Anwar alleged that Anifah's statement was widely reported in the local and
foreign media.

He was seeking compensatory damages of RM100 million, aggravated and exemplary
damages, costs and other relief deemed fit by the court.

Senior counsel Muhammad Shafee Abdullah appeared for Anifah in his personal
capacity, while senior federal counsel Amarjeet Singh represented Anifah in his
official capacity.

Anwar's counsel S. N. Nair said he would appeal against the decision.
-- BERNAMA