(Oct 29): The High Court will deliver on November 18 its ruling on whether to defer Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak's move to strike out Anina Saaduddin's suit over the RM2.6 billion deposited into his personal accounts.

Judicial commissioner Datuk Mohd Zaki Abdul Wahab made the decison today after hearing submissions from lawyers for both Najib and Anina.

Counsel Mohamed Haniff Khatri Abdulla told reporters that he wanted the court to dispose an application by Umno secretary-general Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor to strike out Anina's suit over her sacking from the party.

That matter would be heard before judicial commissioner S. Nantha Balan on November 30.

"If Tengku Adnan's application is disallowed, then Najib's attempt to strike out Anina's suit will also fail," he said.

Haniff, however, said, if Tengku Adnan's application was made in his favour, then Anina would fight Najib's attempt to strike out her suit on other grounds.
 
Lawyer Datuk Mohamad Hafarizam Harun told Zaki that his client's application should be heard first because Anina lacked legal standing to bring an action against Najib on behalf of other Umno members.
 
Anina filed a suit over her termination on September 11 claiming that her dismissal from the party was not valid under the Umno constitution.

On August 28, she filed a suit against Najib to account for the money allegedly given to him by a Middle Eastern donor to help ruling coalition Barisan Nasional retain power in the 2013 general election.

On September 18, she also filed applications to freeze Najib's assets and judgement for admission.

However, on October 1, Najib managed to get an exemption from filing his defence pending the outcome of his application to strike out Anina's suit.

Najib has been criticised over his handling of state investment vehicle 1Malaysia Development Berhad, which he oversees as finance minister and chairman of its advisory board.

He has also come under scrutiny after it was reported that RM2.6 billion was deposited into his personal accounts, which he said had been held in trust on behalf of Umno.

Politicians from both sides of the divide have criticised Najib over these developments, including former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad who has repeatedly called for his resignation. – The Malaysian Insider