TUN Dr Mahathir Mohamad had been informed on the settlement terms pertaining to a lawsuit filed by former Attorney-General (AG), Tan Sri Mohamed Apandi Ali against the former prime minister and the Malaysian Government, said AG Tan Sri Idrus Harun.
Following the settlement, Apandi withdrew his suit on the termination of his contract as the then-AG.
Idrus further said the court then struck out the plaintiff’s claim with no liberty to file afresh.
“I can only confirm that Tun (Mahathir) wrote recently seeking information on the terms of settlement.
“I already replied to inform him of the terms of settlement,” he told Bernama via WhatsApp when asked to comment on the matter.
Yesterday, Mahathir took to Facebook and expressed disagreement with the way the suit was settled out of court, claiming he was not told of the terms of settlement despite being the main witness in the case.
“I have written to the Attorney-General (Idrus). I feel that the Government should not have given in as the termination of Apandi’s service was done according to procedures and with the power vested in the Government.
“When I gave a statement to the Attorney-General’s Chambers in preparation for Apandi’s suit against me, I was told the process of terminating the service was proper and in accordance with procedures and the rule of law,” he added.
The Langkawi MP also questioned the need to pay compensation if Apandi’s service had been terminated in accordance with the law and asked why the terms of the settlement were kept confidential, saying the people had the right to know as it involved taxpayers’ funds.
Mahathir stressed that he did not commit any wrongdoing and was prepared to face Apandi in court.
On April 13, the Kuala Lumpur High Court struck out the suit after the Government agreed to settle the case without any admission of liability, and the terms of the settlement could not be disclosed publicly.
The court earlier fixed April 18, 20, 21, and 22 this year for hearing the suit. – May 7, 2022
