Kedah Menteri Besar Sanusi Nor has agreed to retract his “out of akhlak (morals)” claims against Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim at a 15th general election campaign speech in Tambun in 2022, leading to them settling their legal dispute.
Anwar’s lawyer, SN Nair, confirmed to Malaysiakini today that the prime minister has withdrawn the lawsuit, adding that the matter was recorded in the Alor Setar High Court this morning.
Subsequently, the duo said in a joint statement today that they had agreed to settle the dispute as there are more important issues that need addressing in the nation’s interest, and that they wanted to maintain their good and prudent relationship.
“Sanusi also pledged not to repeat any of the words, which formed the basis of this legal action, again.
“Accordingly, Anwar, who appreciates the noble efforts, agrees to withdraw the suit against Sanusi without an order on costs and without liberty to re-file,” the statement said.
The joint statement also expressed appreciation to judge Johan Lee and court officers in handling the case.
Both Anwar and Sanusi further said that they hope the settlement will be accepted and respected by all parties and will not be used as a means to disrupt the nation’s harmony and unity.
GE15 campaign
Anwar sued Sanusi for defamation on Dec 13, 2022, over several claims he made against the then-opposition leader a month before in his GE15 campaign speech.
Sanusi, at the time, claimed that Anwar was someone who was “out of akhlak (morals)” and implied that the Tambun MP was not a good Muslim who abused his political power to obtain a royal pardon.
He made the remarks when campaigning for Perikatan Nasional’s Tambun candidate and Anwar’s election opponent, Ahmad Faizal Azumu, during GE15.
Anwar then sent Sanusi a letter of demand on Nov 16, three days after the speech was delivered, demanding that he retract his statement and apologise unconditionally, and pay RM10 million in damages and legal fees.
Sanusi had, through his lawyers, admitted to uttering the remarks, leading to the defamation suit.
Anwar sought general, compensatory, aggravated, and exemplary damages, as well as an injunction to restrain Sanusi from further uttering or publishing defamatory words against him.
He also sought five percent interest on the judgment sum from the date of the legal action accrued until full settlement, costs, and any other relief deemed fit by the court. - Mkini
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