Anwar, Ka Siong settle RM10m suit out of court

(The Malaysian Insider) – Parties in Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s RM10 million defamation suit against Deputy Education Minister Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong have reached an out-of-court settlement.

High Court judge Rosilah Yop recorded the settlement in chambers in the presence of Anwar’s counsel, J. Leela, and Datuk Ben Chan for Wee.

Leela said both parties agreed to settle the suit out of court, and therefore Anwar had withdrawn the suit.

“The terms of settlement are confidential and there was no order as to costs,” she said, adding that those involved had been discussing about the settlement over the past few weeks.

The court had initially fixed September 10 to 12 to hear the suit.

On April 18, 2008, Anwar filed the suit claiming that Wee had uttered defamatory words during a ceramah in the Machap by-election in 2007. 

Anwar claimed that the defamatory words were contained in an article entitled “Parties at their last leg of campaigning” which was posted on a pro-opposition news portal. 

Anwar contended that the defamatory words by Wee were intentional and used in bad faith. 

Wee, in his statement of defence, denied making the alleged defamatory statements, among others.