ANWAR Ibrahim has agreed to accept an out-of-court settlement with Sistem Televisyen Malaysia Bhd (TV3) and former Barisan Nasional candidate Mazlan Ismail in a defamation lawsuit filed by the PKR president in 2015. 

Anwar told reporters at the Kuala Lumpur High Court today that it was time to move on and that he had agreed in principle to the terms of the settlement.

“I am not here to fight, I want to move on. It has been ongoing for years now and I agreed to settle this matter.

“My lawyers are negotiating on the terms and conditions but I have agreed in principle,” he said.

Mazlan was BN’s candidate for the Permatang Pauh seat in the May 2013 general election. In August that year, he was accused by Anwar of uttering defamatory words at a press conference, which were later broadcasted by TV3.

Mazlan allegedly uttered comments suggesting Anwar had bribed judges and prosecutors.

Lawyer Hasnal Rezua Merican, representing TV3 and Mazlan, said an agreement had been reached between all three parties and a consent judgement would be heard before a judge next Wednesday. 

Hasnal added that Mazlan would also issue an apology to the former opposition leader on September 28.

However, Hasnal said today’s settlement did not include Utusan Malaysia.

“All three agreed to settle out of court and a consent judgment will be recorded next week. The details of the settlement is not yet ready as it needs to be drafted.

“Mazlan, who is now in Mecca, will issue an apology next month after returning from the haj. But Utusan Malaysia was not involved (in proceedings) today,” he said. 

Anwar’s counsel, Sangeet Kaur Deo, said she was confident an agreement would be reached soon, adding that Utusan Malaysia was also considering settling the matter amicably.

“I am confident that we will reach an understanding. We are drafting the terms and need to make sure of the wording of the apology to be read in court.

“I believe Utusan is considering settling, too,” she said. – August 24, 2018.