Anwar drops defamation suit after Sanusi retracts remarks, pledges not to repeat them

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 23 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today decided to end his defamation lawsuit against Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor, after the latter withdrew the alleged defamatory remarks and pledged not to repeat them.

Both Anwar and Sanusi said they had agreed to settle the defamation lawsuit since “there were many bigger and more important issues that needed attention for the sake of national interests”, and after considering the potential legal costs and impact from the lawsuit.

In settling the defamation lawsuit, they had recorded a consent settlement this morning at the High Court in Alor Setar, Kedah before High Court judge John Lee Kien How @ Mohammad Johan Lee.

“In line with that, YAB Datuk Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor openly and unconditionally withdraws the statements that he had made on November 13, 2022 against YAB Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim,” said the joint statement by both of them, which was recorded in the High Court.

In this consent settlement, Sanusi also said he would not repeat the remarks that had been part of the defamation lawsuit after this.

In settling the case, Anwar agreed to withdraw his defamation suit against Sanusi, with no order on legal costs and with no liberty to refile the same suit in the future.

The two politicians said this settlement was aimed at maintaining good and civil relations between both of them.

The duo thanked the judge for making the settlement possible through his mediation efforts.

“Both sides hope that this settlement will be accepted and respected by all quarters, and not be made as material to threaten the prosperity, unity and harmony of Malaysia,” they said in the consent settlement which was made available to the public.

Anwar’s lawyer Datuk Sankara Nair confirmed to Malay Mail that the lawsuit had been settled.

Also attending for Anwar today was lawyer Narendran Letchiemanan, while Sanusi was represented by lawyer Yusfarizal Yusoff today.

Anwar is the PKR president, while Sanusi is the PAS election director.

On December 13, 2022, Anwar had filed the defamation lawsuit against Sanusi over the latter’s remarks during the 15th general election (GE15) campaign. 

Anwar claimed Sanusi had made the allegedly defamatory remarks in an election campaign speech around November 13, 2022 during the “PN Best Tambun Tour”, while supporting Perikatan Nasional’s Tambun candidate and then incumbent Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu.