FORMER Permatang Pauh candidate Dr Mazlan Ismail has apologised to Anwar Ibrahim for making a defamatory statement against the PKR president-elect in 2013.

The apology was recorded at the Kuala Lumpur High Court before judicial commissioner Faizah Jamaludin.

“I accept his apology, and it’s resolved amicably,” Anwar told reporters outside the court.

“The lesson is that, in the political scenario of our country, we should control our actions so as to not allow defamatory and slanderous statements to come out.”

Mazlan was Barisan Nasional’s candidate for the Permatang Pauh parliamentary seat in the 2013 general election. In August that year, he was accused by Anwar of making defamatory remarks at a press conference that was broadcast by TV3.

Mazlan allegedly uttered words suggesting that Anwar had bribed judges and prosecutors.

Sistem Televisyen Malaysia Bhd (TV3) and Utusan Melayu, which published Mazlan’s statement and were named in Anwar’s suit, have agreed to settle the case, and will submit their statements in court on October 12. – September 28, 2018.