JUDGMENT

Abu Bakar Jais J:

Introduction

[1] This written judgment relates to the application of the defendant to strike out the suit filed by the three plaintiffs pursuant to O 18 r 19(1)(a), (b), (c) and (d) of the Rules of Court 2012 ("ROC").

Background Facts

[2] I had already narrated the material facts of this case in my written judgment pertaining to an earlier application by the plaintiffs to cross-examine the defendant as reported in [2016] 6 MLRH 159. These facts are still relevant and are reproduced below.

[3] The 1st plaintiff is the former Prime Minister of Malaysia of 22 years. The 2nd and 3rd plaintiffs, like the 1st plaintiff are former members of United Malays National Organisation ("UMNO"), the main political party in a coalition forming the present government.

[4] The defendant is the current and sixth Prime Minister of Malaysia. He is also the President of UMNO and Chairman of Barisan Nasional ("BN"), the coalition.