Anwar's defamation suit against Utusan, TV3 may be settled via mediation

The RM100 million defamation suit filed by Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim against Utusan Melayu (M) Bhd and four others on the issue of the terrorist intrusion in Lahad Datu, Sabah may be settled via mediation.

Counsel, Shahid Adli Kamarudin for Anwar (the plaintiff) said this to reporters after the case was mentioned in chambers Monday before Judge Datuk Noraini Abdul Rahman.

Also present were counsel Choo Shi Jin for Utusan Melayu and G. Navinthar for TV3. Anwar filed the civil suit on March 8, 2013.

Shahid Adli said the two parties (plaintiff and defendants) had applied for the case to be settled amicably and the mediation process was set for Nov 5.

Utusan, Utusan group editor-in-chief Datuk Abdul Aziz Ishak, Rangkaian Televisyen dan Radio, Media Prima Bhd (TV3), its group managing editor (news and current affairs), Datuk Shahruddin Abdul Latif and Buletin Utama news editor, Ing Boon Seng were named as defendants.

In his statement of claim, Anwar said that on March 2, 2013, Utusan Malaysia published an article on its front page titled, 'Opposition Leader Linked To Intrusion?' and an article on page nine titled 'Three Groups Were Responsible.'

Anwar said between 8pm and 9pm on the same day, Shahruddin, TV3 and Ing broadcasted the news on the Lahad Datu intrusion based on the newspaper report made by Utusan Malaysia and Abdul Aziz.