EFFORTS to resolve the defamation suit between DAP Deputy Chair Teresa Kok and UMNO Youth Chief Datuk Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh came to an abrupt end today after a court-ordered mediation failed to produce a settlement.
The session, held at the Ayer Keroh Court Complex, lasted nearly an hour but concluded without agreement, prompting the matter to proceed to a full hearing before the High Court on 12 and 13 February.
Datuk SN Nair, counsel representing Teresa Kok, confirmed that the mediation was conducted in compliance with judicial instructions, but said no resolution was reached.
“We could not reach an agreement in mediation, therefore the case will proceed to court for trial on 12 and 13 February,” he told reporters outside the mediation room.
He added that the reasons for the failure could not be disclosed outside court. Both parties were prohibited from revealing the content of discussions, although the writ of summons and statement of claim filed previously remain in effect.
When asked whether she was satisfied with the mediation, Teresa Kok replied only that her team would meet Dr Muhamad Akmal in court.
“We did not reach an agreement to settle out of court, so we will see each other in court in February,” she said.
Dr Muhamad Akmal, represented by lawyer Syahrul Sazwan Salehin, said his side respected the court’s instruction to engage in mediation but was prepared to proceed to a full trial. “Today I can summarise that mediation was unsuccessful. God willing, we will wait for the February trial… we will contest the case then,” he said.
The mediation session was overseen by Deputy Registrar of Mediation, Suzana Mokhtar, in the Mediation Room of the Ayer Keroh Court Complex.
The lawsuit originates from a claim by Teresa Kok seeking RM25 million in damages, as well as legal costs and other expenses.
She alleges that statements made by Dr Muhamad Akmal concerning halal certification, published via TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram on 7 September 2024, were false, malicious, and racially charged.
The writ of summons was officially filed in the Melaka High Court on 14 October 2024, marking the beginning of a case that has drawn significant political and public attention in Malaysia. - January 12, 2026
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