MP Awang Solahuddin Retracts Defamatory Remarks Against PM Anwar, Resolving High Court Lawsuit

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 23 – The defamation suit brought by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim against Pendang Member of Parliament Datuk Awang Solahuddin Hashim was amicably resolved at the High Court today after the latter formally retracted the defamatory statements.

Anwar’s legal counsel, Datuk SN Nair, informed Judge Roslan Mat Nor that both parties had reached a mutual consensus regarding the terms of the settlement.

“Both parties wish to record the agreed terms. Accordingly, the plaintiff withdraws the suit with no order as to costs and without liberty to file afresh,” Nair stated, adding that a joint public statement had been submitted alongside the consent motion.

Awang Solahuddin’s defense counsel, Yusfarizal Yussoff, confirmed the agreement in court.

Judge Roslan subsequently struck out the suit with no order as to costs, vacating the trial dates previously scheduled for October 26 to 29, 2026. The judge commended both leaders for resolving the matter amicably outside of trial.

According to a joint public statement released following the proceedings, both parties agreed to the settlement after weighing the financial and social costs of prolonged litigation against the need to prioritize national stability and public interests.

As part of the settlement terms, Awang Solahuddin humbly and unequivocally withdrew all remarks made on or around Feb 21, 2023, which gave rise to the lawsuit, while pledging not to repeat or republish similar statements in the future.

Both parties also called on the public and political observers to respect the resolution and refrain from exploiting the former dispute to disrupt social harmony or national unity.

Anwar initially filed the defamation suit on March 3, 2023, following comments made by Awang Solahuddin in the Parliament lobby on Feb 21, 2023. The statements allegedly accused the Prime Minister of abusing his executive authority to interfere with law enforcement and prosecutorial bodies for political ends.

–NMT