Former Selangor Mentris Besar agree to settle defamation suits through mediation process

SHAH ALAM: Former Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim and Dr Mohamad Khir Toyo today agreed to settle through mediation the defamation suits filed by the latter against the former over statements published in newspapers on the purchase of a Lexus car and 46 cows for sacrifice.
Judicial Commissioner M.Gunalan set March 4 for the two parties to do through the process.
Dr Mohamad Khir, represented by lawyers M.Athimulan and Siti Maspuah Maulan, was at the court, while Abdul Khalid was not present. He was represented by lawyer K.Murali.
The case was initially fixed for hearing today.
Abdul Khalid filed the two suits, both named Dr Mohamed Khir as the plaintiff, on Feb 18, 2009, over the latter's statements on the purchase of the Lexus car and cows which were published in two newspapers.
In the statement of claim, Abdul Khalid alleged that Mohamad Khir had said or made two statements which were defamatory and published in The New Straits Times, headlined "Lexus is my own, says Khalid", dated Jan 15, 2009, and in the Malay daily Utusan Malaysia, headlined "Lepaskan Jawatan MB" (Give Up the MB's Post) on Jan 23 the same year.
Abdul Khalid claimed the articles directly or indirectly referred to him and implied, among others, that he was dishonest, unethical and had intentionally abused his position and public office for personal gain.
He also claimed Mohamad Khir had wrongfully received and displayed confidential official documents pertaining to the assumed malpractice with regard to the 'sacrificial cattle' without confirming the accuracy of the facts and subsequently making false allegations.
As such, he is seeking compensatory damages, aggravated damages, exemplary damages and an injunction to restrain Mohamad Khir from further uttering, speaking, writing or publishing the statements which he claimed were defamatory. – Bernama