KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 25 (Bernama) -- The High Court here will hear on April 7 an application by Foreign Minister Datuk Anifah Aman and the government to strike out a RM100 milion defamation suit filed by opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim against them.

Anwar's counsel, Wan Anuar Shadat, informed the media that the application would be heard before Judicial Commissioner Dr Prasad Sandosham Abraham.

The date was set by High Court Deputy Registrar Anisah Normah Muhammad Nor in chambers today.

On May 25, 2009, Anwar filed the suit against Anifah over his statement at a news conference in Washington, on May 16, 2009.

He named Anifah in his personal capacity and as Kimanis MP as first defendant, the Foreign Minister as second defendant and the Malaysian government as third defendant.

Anwar, who is also the Parti Keadilan Rakyat advisor, is seeking RM100 million in compensatory damages, aggravated damages and exemplary damages and an injunction to restrain the defendants from futher saying, writing or publishing the alleged defamatory words.

In his statement of claim, Anwar said that Anifah, at a joint news conference with US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton at the US Department of State in Washington, made a statement that Anwar had offered him the post of deputy prime minister if Anwar were to set up the government on Sept 16, 2008.

Anwar also claimed that Anifah had defamed him by saying that he was attempting to buy over the MPs and was tarnishing the country's image.

He said Anifah had sown hatred and anger towards him among the public, lowered his status, encouraged and started political contempt, clouded the truth and spread falsehoods.

Anifah, in his application to strike the suit filed in 2009, said it was defective and an abuse of the court process.