In his affidavit in support for Ling’s application to strike out Najib’s lawsuit, the country’s longest serving premier said he’s a big critic of Najib for being a liar, corrupt and threatening Malaysia’s constitution and legal system, and he has called for him to resign.

“From what I observed, from the reply to Ling’s defence by the Prime Minister in the lawsuit, he accepted my sharp criticism was vital for his leadership.”

“Thus, it is weird that I have the freedom of speech (to criticize) but not Ling,” he said.

Mahathir added with all the harsh criticisms against Najib, said through his blog, he was not sued for defamation at all.

Ling, in seeking to strike out the lawsuit against him by Najib, cited two reasons in his application, the defamation suit by Najib did not disclose reasonable cause of action, and therefore was an abuse of the court process.

Ling said in his affidavit that he was confused as to why he was targeted in the civil lawsuit when other leaders such as Mahathir, Zaid Ibrahim, Muhyiddin Yassin and Zainuddin Maidin, all heavy critics of the premier, were not sued. “What they said was even worse than what I said.”

“They were allowed to say it because they have the freedom to express their views, according to the Prime Minister.”

He added he was only supporting Mahathir’s call for Najib to resign as in his opinion, to receive money from other people and deposit into his account, was wrong.

“I was targeted. He knew what I said was merely expressing my opinion. Am I not qualified for freedom of speech (as the other critics)?” asked Ling.

The court fixed March 31 for case management before Justice John Louis O’hara.

His lawyer Gregory Ling confirmed the application had been filed on Thursday.

Lawyer M. Reza Hassan for Najib said both sides will further discuss mediation efforts.

Previously, Justice O’hara had suggested Ling and Najib go for mediation and settle the matter out of court.

On October 27 last year, Najib filed the suit through Hafarizam Wan & Aisha Mubarak.

He is seeking general, special, aggravated and exemplary damages.

Najib is also applying for an injunction to stop Ling from further speaking or publishing or causing to be published any similar defamatory words against him.

On December 14, Ling filed a counter defamation suit against Najib.

He is seeking damages.