KUALA LUMPUR: Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin will know on May 14 whether he is successful in setting aside a judgment in default obtained by opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in the latter's defamation suit.

Senior Assistant Registrar Kaveetha Armugem on Friday, March 19 fixed the date after meeting Anwar and Khairy's lawyers in chambers today.

Anwar’s counsel Sankara Nair told reporters that Khairy's lawyer had requested a postponement to this afternoon but Sankara was unable to attend.

"So it's been postponed to May 14 for decision. In the meantime we'll file written submissions", Sankara said.

Khairy was seeking to set aside the judgment in default obtained by Anwar on Dec 4, 2008, after Khairy failed to appear in court after the writ of summons had been served on him.

Anwar filed the suit on March 7, 2008 claiming that Khairy, who was then the Umno Youth deputy chief, had defamed him in February 2008 during a ceramah in Lembah Pantai here.

The alleged statements were said to be made during campaigning season in the lead up to the 12th general election.

In his statement of claim, the Permatang Pauh member of parliament (MP) contended that Khairy's statements insinuated Anwar was a homosexual, unfit to hold any political positions and a danger to Malaysians, among other things.

Anwar was seeking compensatory damages totaling RM100 million, other damages and an injunction to prevent Khairy, who is Rembau MP, or his agents, from repeating the statements.