PM, Pendang MP reach amicable settlement in defamation suit

KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's defamation suit against Pendang member of parliament Datuk Awang Solahuddin Hashim over statements made in February 2023 has been settled amicably.

In a joint statement, Anwar and Awang Solahuddin said they had decided to resolve the dispute after considering the litigation costs to be incurred by both sides.

"We have also considered matters of greater importance and deserving of priority in the interests of the people and the country, and both parties agreed to end this dispute," the statement said.

The settlement came ahead of a four-day trial set for October.

Under the settlement, Awang Solahuddin withdrew, without reservation, statements he made on or around Feb 21, 2023, which formed the basis of the suit.

He also agreed not to repeat or republish the statements or any statements carrying the same or similar meaning in the future.

Anwar, meanwhile, agreed to withdraw the suit without an order as to costs and without liberty to file a fresh action in relation to the same matter.

Both parties said all issues between them were therefore considered fully and finally resolved.

They expressed their appreciation to the judge and court officers involved for their professionalism, wisdom and efficiency throughout the proceedings.

"We hope the settlement would be accepted and respected by all as an amicable resolution and that the matter would no longer be politicised or used in a manner that could affect the country's harmony, unity and stability."

In court today, Anwar's lawyer Datuk Sankara Nair informed High Court judge Roslan Mat Nor that the parties had reached a settlement and sought to record the agreed terms.

"The plaintiff wants to withdraw the suit without an order as to costs and without liberty to file afresh," he said.

Awang Solahuddin's lawyer Yusfarizal Yusoff confirmed the matter.

Both Anwar and Awang Solahuddin were not present in court.

Roslan thanked both parties for their efforts in resolving the matter amicably and ordered that the suit be withdrawn without an order as to costs and without liberty to file afresh.

Sankara then thanked the court and sought for the previously fixed trial dates to be vacated.

The court allowed the application and vacated the trial dates.

Sankara appeared in court with co-lawyer Wong Guo Jin.

Yusfarizal was accompanied by lawyer Mohd Faizi Che Abu.

Anwar filed the suit over Awang Solahuddin's allegedly defamatory remark.

He claimed that Anwar was more vindictive than former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

The remark was allegedly made at a press conference outside the Dewan Rakyat in late February the same year.

Anwar, in his claim, contended that Awang Solahuddin's remarks were malicious, untrue, defamatory and slanderous.