KUALA LUMPUR, July 2- A defamation suit filed by MCA Youth chief Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong against Tan Sri Robert Phang (photo) was resolved today, when both parties reached an out-of-court settlement.
Phang’s counsel, Sankara Nair, told reporters that High Court Judge Datuk Nik Hasmat Nik Mohamad recorded the settlement in chambers.
He said the plaintiff and defendants agreed to the settlement, with no admission of liabilities.
The court also did not make any order as to costs, he added.
On Feb 9, Wee filed a defamation suit, naming Phang, a Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commisssion (MACC) advisory committee member, and the publisher of an English daily as defendants over four articles published between Dec 25, 2009 and Jan 12, 2010.
Wee, a former deputy education minister, claimed that the articles understood to mean that he was involved in, or committed corruption and abuse of power.
He also asked to restrain the defendants from calling or suggesting he was a “bully, coward and liar”, and sought damages.
In his statement of defence, Phang, 71, who is also Social Care Foundation chairman, said his statements were fair comment and were made on an occasion of qualified privilege.
– BERNAMA
