The High Court here has set four days from July 10, to hear former opposition chief Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's defamation case against TV3, relating to the Lahad Datu intrusion in Sabah.

"Judicial commissioner Rohani Ismail also ordered both sides to file their witness statements before or on June 15," the defendants' lawyer Lim Qi Shi told reporters after the case management proceeding in chambers today.

Lim is representing TV3, Media Prima Bhd group managing editor (News and Current Affairs) Datuk Shaharudin Abd Latif and TV3 Berita Buletin Utama editor Ing Boon Seng while counsel Shahid Adli Kamarudin is representing Anwar.

On March 8, 2013, Anwar sued Utusan Melayu (M) Bhd for a front page article under the heading, 'Ketua Pembangkang dikaitkan dengan pencerobohan?' and an article in page nine under the heading, 'Tiga kumpulan menjadi dalang' dated March 2, 2013.

In his statement of claim, the former Permatang Pauh member of parliament alleged that TV3 on 'Buletin Utama' the same day between 8pm and 9pm, broadcast news on the Lahad Datu intrusion, based on news reports published by Utusan Melayu.

On Oct 5, 2016, Anwar's case against Utusan Melayu and its editor-in-chief Datuk Abdul Aziz Ishak was disposed after both parties agreed to settle out of court. --Bernama