Lawyers: Anwar did not seek 'settlement'

PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim's lawyers have denied former inspector-general of police Musa Hassan's claim that the team had sought a settlement for the defamation suit brought by the latter.

Speaking to reporters outside the court room today, Musa (right) said his defamation suit was the result of a “misunderstanding” and that he acceptedthe “settlement” proposed by Anwar. 

In a press release issued after the trial came to an abrupt halt, lawyers N Surendran and Latheefa Koya said it was Musa's case and he was the one who sought the withdrawal, not Anwar.

“The withdrawal was initiated by Musa or his representative. At all times, Anwar was ready to proceed with the case.

“The withdrawal against our client was unconditional and there was no out-of-court settlement as alleged by Musa.

“Our client is satisfied with the unconditional withdrawal and hence did not seek for costs,” adds the statement by Surendran and Latheefa.

'Withdrawal vindicates our client'

In a shocking turn of events, Musa today withdrew his defamation suit against Anwar, over the latter's police report on July 1, 2008.

The police report says Musa, attorney-general Abdul Gani Patail (left), former Kuala Lumpur CID chief Mat Zain Ibrahim and Hospital Kuala Lumpur pathologist Dr Abdul Rahman Mohd Yusof had fabricated evidence in the Sodomy I trial.

During Sodomy I, Gani (left) was the chief prosecutor while Musa was the chief investigator.

Following Anwar's police report, Mat Zain immediately sued him for defamation. The suit is still pending.

Musa was expected to be put on the witness stand todayn and this attracted a huge crowd in the public gallery, hoping to watch Anwar's lawyers grill the former top cop.

Anwar's lawyers said Musa's withdrawal had vindicated their client, who is standing firm by his police report.