A SERIES of high-profile defamation suits involving senior political figures have been resolved through negotiated settlements in the High Courts, averting prolonged trials and signalling a preference for mediated outcomes in politically sensitive disputes.
In Kuala Lumpur, Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil reached an amicable settlement with Wan Muhammad Azri Wan Deris, also known as Papagomo, on the opening day of trial proceedings.
Counsel Asheeq Ali Sethi Alivi, representing Fahmi, confirmed that the matter had been resolved by mutual agreement before Judge Datuk Raja Ahmad Mohzanuddin Shah Raja Mohzan.
“The action that was filed by Datuk Ahmad Fahmi Mohamed Fadzil against the defendant (Papagomo) has been settled amicably today.
“After considering further clarification, the plaintiff’s speech at a mosque in Rawang, Selangor on 30 July 2023 was not a political campaign or politically motivated statement.
“Any issues that arose were due to a misunderstanding that should not have occurred from the outset, and the parties have agreed not to issue any statements beyond what has been agreed in this statement.
“Therefore, the plaintiff withdraws the suit and statement of claim against the defendant without costs,” he said.
Fahmi also reached a similar settlement with Facebook user Mohd Fauzan Madzlan in a related suit.
However, proceedings against independent preacher Ahmad Dusuki Abd Rani are set to continue, with the trial scheduled to resume.
The suits, filed in September 2023, stemmed from allegations that Fahmi had delivered a political speech at a mosque in Rawang, which he denied, asserting that the claims were defamatory and contradicted by the Selangor Islamic Religious Council.
Separately in Melaka, another defamation dispute involving Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA) and its chairman Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki against Masjid Tanah Member of Parliament Datuk Mas Ermieyati Samsudin was likewise settled through mediation.
The agreement was recorded before Judicial Commissioner Isa Aziz Ibrahim at the High Court in Ayer Keroh following closed-door discussions.
"With this, I record a consent judgment based on the terms and conditions contained in the draft consent judgment between MARA and Asyraf Wajdi as Plaintiffs and Mas Ermieyati as Defendant... I thank all parties, especially counsel, and those involved for their willingness to compromise and enter into a consent judgment which I believe benefits everyone.
"And I hope the parties can continue their true purpose of acting in good faith in matters relating to the institutions involved," he said.
Under the terms, the defendant acknowledged that parts of her statements were untrue and defamatory, agreed to issue a written apology subject to approval within 14 days, and undertook to remove all related content immediately while refraining from further similar publications.
She also agreed to pay RM50,000 in damages to the first plaintiff, with no order made in respect of the second plaintiff.
Counsel Datuk Adnan Seman@Abdullah, representing the plaintiffs, said the settlement was reached after the defendant, through her lawyer Zulfahami Abu Bakar, agreed to the consent judgment during mediation initiated by the court on the day set for trial.
The case had been filed in July 2025 following the publication of allegedly defamatory statements in videos shared across Facebook, Instagram and TikTok. - April 6, 2026
