THE defamation lawsuit filed by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim against Kuala Terengganu Member of Parliament Datuk Ahmad Amzad Hashim has been amicably resolved today in the Kuala Terengganu High Court.
The lawsuit stemmed from a statement made by Ahmad Amzad, who allegedly accused Anwar of lying about his salary as the Selangor Economic Adviser. Ahmad Amzad had claimed that Anwar’s assertion of receiving a nominal RM1 salary was false.
Datuk SN Nair, Anwar’s lawyer, confirmed that both parties reached an out-of-court settlement and agreed to release a public statement regarding the resolution. The settlement was officially recorded before Judge Datuk Hassan Abdul Gani at the Kuala Terengganu High Court.
According to Nair, the agreement was made after both parties took into account the broader impact of the legal dispute and the associated legal costs.
“Considering the importance of other issues that require attention, both parties decided to settle amicably,” he explained in a statement.
As part of the settlement, Ahmad Amzad agreed to retract the statement he made on December 7, 2022. In return, Anwar withdrew his suit.
The settlement stipulates that the case is closed, with no possibility of refiling, and no costs were awarded to either party.
“The settlement is a mutual agreement, and Anwar has withdrawn the suit with no liberty to refile, and with no order as to costs,” Nair added.
Both parties expressed their gratitude to Judge Datuk Hassan and the court officials for their involvement in the case. They also stressed the importance of respecting the court’s decision and urged that the matter should not be used to undermine the peace and unity of the nation.
In the original statement of claim filed on December 22, 2022, Anwar, who also leads the People's Justice Party (PKR), accused Ahmad Amzad of making defamatory remarks during a dinner with a group of customers on December 7.
Anwar alleged that Ahmad Amzad’s statements implied that he was dishonest and untrustworthy, particularly in regard to his claim of receiving only RM1 as a salary during his tenure as Selangor Economic Adviser.
The statements further suggested that Anwar had deceived the public about his income, committed a criminal act, and betrayed the public’s trust.
Anwar contended that these accusations were not only false but malicious and damaging to his reputation, as he is a figure widely respected both nationally and internationally for his anti-corruption stance. He also refuted any suggestions that the statements were politically motivated.
The amicable resolution brings an end to the legal battle and highlights the importance of addressing such disputes constructively for the benefit of national harmony. - March 5, 2025
