What is the core issue Ahmad Zahid needs to prove in the defamation trial?

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Ahmad Zahid Must Prove Defamatory Statements Are Untrue

Ahmad Zahid Hamidi must prove that the statements made by Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad were untrue to succeed in his defamation suit. The High Court dismissed Ahmad Zahid's application for an interim injunction to prevent the re-publication of these statements, ruling that the merits of the case should be decided through a full trial. This decision means the court will not grant an immediate order to stop the dissemination of the statements at this stage, as the plaintiff needs to establish the falsity of the alleged defamatory remarks.
Allegations of Improper Influence in Court Proceedings

The defamation suit stems from allegations made by Dr Mahathir at the Parti Pejuang Aspirasi launch event on February 23. Ahmad Zahid claims these statements were issued with malicious intent and implied that he used shortcuts to resolve and postpone his ongoing criminal trial. Furthermore, the statements allegedly suggested that Ahmad Zahid used his position to influence Tun Dr Mahathir to interfere in these court proceedings and investigations.
Court's Stance on Interim Injunction

Justice Datuk Rozana Ali Yusoff dismissed Ahmad Zahid's application for an interim injunction, stating that it was not the appropriate stage to argue the substantive issues of the case. The court's view was that the plaintiff must first demonstrate that the statements made by Tun Dr Mahathir are factually incorrect. Consequently, the interim application was refused, with costs awarded to Tun Dr Mahathir.
Legal Action Initiated by Ahmad Zahid

Ahmad Zahid filed the defamation suit on April 20, seeking damages over Dr Mahathir's alleged defamatory statements. He also sought an interim injunction to compel Dr Mahathir, his representatives, or associated platforms to retract and cease the publication, distribution, or dissemination of the statements across various social media and online news platforms. This included specific requests to remove defamatory content from YouTube, Astro Awani's Facebook, and MalaysiaGazette TV's TikTok account.

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What is the core issue Ahmad Zahid needs to prove in the defamation trial?

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