Businessman Kalimullah Masheerul Hassan and lawyer Matthias Chang have reached a settlement over a RM50 million defamation suit and RM150 million counter-claim.

In the settlement at the Kuala Lumpur High Court today, both parties tendered their apologies.

NONE Plaintiff Kalimullah's apology was to Chang's former employer and one-time premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

    

In the amicable settlement, recorded by Justice Asmabi Mohamad, Chang who was Mahathir's political secretary retracted allegations and apologised for embarrassment caused to ECM Libra in 2006.

Kalimullah (left) apologised and retracted an article published by the New Sunday Times the same year, relating to Mahathir.

He had filed the defamation suit against Chang on June 29, 2006, for allegedly making statements against him during a press conference.

Chang filed a counter-claim the next month for RM150 million in damages.

Everyone feels 'vindicated'

Speaking to reporters later, both parties claimed to feel "vindicated" by the settlement.

"It has taken six years of my life. I feel vindicated. I had already admitted (in open court) that I made a mistake about Mahathir's meeting in Japan so it's not a problem (for me to apologise and retract my remark)," Kalimullah said.

matthias chang ibrahim ali police report 260608 02 He was represented by lawyer Prakash Menon.

Chang (right) , who was represented by RK Nathan said "the most important thing is that Mahathir has been vindicated as well".

"As Matthias Chang, as a person, I am nobody. It (does not) matter to me how anyone interprets the settlement except that at long last Mahathir has been vindicated," he said.

He added the settlement reflects "common sense" and the "spirit of friendship" between the parties.