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THE High Court has fixed May 21 for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, the Malaysian government and several other defendants to file their statement of defence in response to a civil suit initiated by 11 individuals arrested during a protest earlier this year.
The date was set during an online case management session on Tuesday before Senior Assistant Registrar Nik Nur Amalina Mat Zaidan, according to counsel Zainul Rijal Abu Bakar, who represents the plaintiffs.
The legal action was filed on March 16 by Malaysian Muslim Consumers Association communications officer Gulab Jan Fazal Eladi and 10 others who were detained following the February 2026 gathering.
The defendants named in the suit include the police, Dang Wangi district police chief Assistant Commissioner Sazalee Adam, Kuala Lumpur police chief Datuk Fadil Marsus and Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Mohd Khalid Ismail.
Also listed as defendants are Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.
The case stems from a protest held on February 8 concerning alleged illegal houses of worship, during which 19 individuals, comprising 15 men and four women, were arrested.
According to Fadil, the gathering proceeded despite not receiving police approval, citing concerns over security and public order. - April 15, 2026
