KUALA LUMPUR: Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has arrived at the High Court to give testimony in his defamation case against Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi regarding the "kutty" issue.
The former Langkawi MP, dressed in a black suit, was accompanied by his wife, Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohamad Ali, and his son, Mukhriz Mahathir, Malay language daily Sinar Harian reported.
Dr Mahathir, who celebrated his 99th birthday last month, arrived at 9.38am Monday (Aug 26) and was greeted by supporters who had gathered in the court lobby since early morning.
The first day of the trial, presided over by Judicial Commissioner Gan Techiong, is expected to commence at 10am.
Previously, the proceedings were postponed several times after Dr Mahathir fell ill and was admitted to the National Heart Institute (IJN) for respiratory issues.
According to the statement of claim filed on July 20, 2022, Dr Mahathir alleged that Ahmad Zahid, 71, made defamatory remarks against him during an Umno division meeting in Kelana Jaya on July 30, 2017.
Dr Mahathir believed that the individual referred to by the Umno president, the defendant, in the defamatory statement as "that person", "he", and "Mahathir the son of Iskandar Kutty" clearly referred to him specifically.
As a result, he stated that his standing as a statesman and influential political figure in the eyes of the world has been tarnished.
Dr Mahathir also claimed that Ahmad Zahid's defamatory statement implicitly questioned and cast doubt on his credibility to lead the country and a party that prioritises Malays as a whole.
In a media statement, Dr Mahathir's lawyer, Rafique Rashid, said that his client, as the plaintiff, would be giving his testimony at 10am.
He noted that the plaintiff is expected to arrive at the court lobby at 9.40am and that any media briefing, if any, would be announced later.
