Marina settles suit against Isma

KUALA LUMPUR: Datin Paduka Marina Mahathir (pic) has settled her libel suit against Pertubuhan Ikatan Muslimin Malaysia (Isma) on Monday, after its deputy president read out a statement expressing their regrets to her.

High Court judge Justice Noraini Abdul Rahman recorded the consent order after almost seven hours of mediation between the parties. There was no order as to costs.

Marina had withdrawn her suit without liberty to file afresh against three persons after they claimed that they were not Isma members, said her lead counsel Rosli Dahlan.

Isma lead counsel Azad Bashir said that the settlement was recorded on behalf of its 13 office bearers.

Isma's deputy president Aminuddin Yahaya read out a statement in open court expressing regrets over the publication of an article which implied Marina as a mastermind behind Comango activities.

In her lawsuit, Marina said that Isma had distributed 70,000 pamplets on Nov 8, 2013 entitled "Antara 54 NGO dalam Comango (Among 54 NGO in Comango)" in mosques including around Klang Valley, Shah Alam, Putrajaya, Malacca, Kuantan and Kuala Terengganu.

"We express our regrets if the article and pamplets had caused difficulties and given bad impact to her and given a wrong impression on her as a liberal mastermind and anti-Islam person," said Aminuddin.

At the outset, Rosli told the judge that the parties had settled the matter through mediation and wanted the consent order recorded.

Azad confirmed terms of settlement to the judge.

Marina, who was present in court with her husband, Tara Sosrowardoyo and her daughter, Ineza Roussille, cried openly after the settlement was recorded. She was consoled her by husband and daughter.

Speaking to reporters later, Marina said she was "quite relieved" the settlement was reached in a "spirit of compromise".