In her suit, The Star reported, Noor Farida, 69, claimed that Azmi Arshad had published a defamatory article on his Facebook account and the Portal Islam & Melayu website last July 13.
She said the words implied that she had acted against the interest of the country and was not fit to be a Malaysian. She said her personal and business reputation had been gravely damaged and she had undergone considerable distress, hurt and embarrassment as a result of his article, the report said.
High Court Judge Yeoh Wee Siam advised the parties, in chambers, to resolve the matter through mediation.
It quoted Azmi’s lawyer Azad Bashir as saying the court set May 13 for case management pending the plaintiff filing a reply to the amended statement of defence.
Azmi meanwhile has denied defaming Noor Farida, saying the facts were true and constituted fair comment on a matter involving public interest.
Noor Farida is seeking general damages for libel, an apology and an injunction on Azmi against further publishing similar defamatory words against her, The Star reported.