Anwar withdraws defamation suit against Nallakaruppan

PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim has withdrawn his RM100 million defamation suit against Senator S Nallakaruppan over the latter’s alleged defamatory remarks carried by Utusan Malaysia in March 2012.

Appearing for Anwar, lawyer Latheefa Koya told reporters that her client was satisfied with the explanation given by Nallakaruppan.

“Taking into account the explanation by Nallakaruppan with regards to his accusation of the alleged moral conduct of the plaintiff, the plaintiff is satisfied with the explanation,” Latheefa told reporters at the Kuala Lumpur High Court today.

Today’s settlement was reached through mediation before consent judgment was entered before High Court Judicial Commissioner Roslan Abu Bakar in chambers.

Lawyer Wan Azmir Wan Majid, who represented Utusan, confirmed that no costs were recorded.

“Utusan will publish the statement of settlement in seven days,” he added.

Speaking to reporters later, Nallakaruppan pointed out how the case had gone for a “very long” time.

“I am relieved, he (Anwar) is also relieved,” said Nallakaruppan of his former friend and tennis partner.

Anwar had named Nallakaruppan as the first defendant, Utusan as the second defendant and the newspaper’s group chief editor Abdul Aziz Ishak as the third defendant.

Anwar, then, had claimed that the libellous words contained in the newspaper article were false and baseless and published with malicious intent.

He said the allegations were deliberately created to discredit him and tarnish his reputation as the opposition leader and as a politician.

He had claimed RM100 million in general damages, as well as aggravated damages, exemplary damages, costs and other reliefs deemed fit by the court.- Mkini