KUALA LUMPUR: Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi have agreed to settle their cases at the High Court here.
Dr Mahathir agreed to withdraw his defamation suit against the Umno president over the “Kutty” remark linked to his lineage.
Meanwhile, Ahmad Zahid withdrew his suit against Dr Mahathir over allegations that the Deputy Prime Minister had met Dr Mahathir to discuss his court case prior to the latter’s reappointment as prime minister in 2018.
Ahmad Zahid also agreed to withdraw his committal proceedings against the veteran politician on Dr Mahathir’s press conference over the “Kutty” defamation suit.
The settlement was recorded before Judicial Commissioner Gan Techiong yesterday.
JC Gan thanked the parties for their professional conduct and their lawyers’ ability to persuade their clients to settle the dispute amicably.
“I wish your respective clients all the best ... especially the 100-year-old client (Dr Mahathir),” JC Gan said.
Earlier, Ahmad Zahid’s lawyer Mohamed Shahrul Fazli Kamarulzaman informed the court that both parties wished to withdraw their lawsuit without liberty to file afresh.
Dr Mahathir’s lawyer Mior Nor Haidir Suhaimi confirmed the matter.
The court did not make any order as to costs.
In a joint statement released immediately, both parties said they decided to resolve their personal disputes in the interest of prioritising the welfare of the people and restoring harmony among the nation’s leaders.
“Ahmad Zahid does not dispute that Dr Mahathir’s registered name with the National Registration Department (NRD) is Mahathir bin Mohamad.
“Any prior statements to the contrary were made based on information from the then NRD, which Ahmad Zahid had no reason to suspect at that point in time.
“Any reference to the existence of such an identity document is hereby retracted,” it said.
Meanwhile, Dr Mahathir did not dispute that his statement made on Feb 23, 2022, relating to the criminal investigation or proceedings against Ahmad Zahid was based on third parties’ information, which he had no reason to suspect at that point in time, the statement added.
It also said that Dr Mahathir had resigned as the seventh prime minister and was not part of the government on both occasions that were referred to.
