In a surprising twist, opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim has decided to withdraw his defamation suit against his former aide Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan, saying he had been vindicated by the acquittal verdict of his sodomy charge.

azlan The case came up for case management before Kuala Lumpur High Court judge Justice Su Geok Yiam today. She has fixed Oct 8 to consider matters pertaining to costs.

Anwar’s lawyer Ranjit Singh told the court that his client withdrew the suit on the basis that Justice Mohamad Zabidin Mohd Diah had acquitted him on Jan 9.

“My client’s reputation has been vindicated (with the acquittal),” said the lawyer.

Saiful was represented by his lawyer Zamri Idrus.

Zamri said his client may issue a statement following this as they only got to know of the withdrawal this morning.

Anwar had filed the suit against Saiful on June 30, 2008 before the politician was charged. Ranjit was quoted to have said that Anwar wanted to clear his name in court following the scandal which could derail his political future.

Anwar was charged in mid-July 2008 with sodomising Saiful at the Desa Damansara condominium in Bukit Damansara on June 26, 2008.

Despite his acquittal, the prosecution has applied to appeal Justice Mohamad Zabidin’s decision.

Will initiate action, if repeated

Ranjit, in a separate statement today, said Anwar's position has always been that Saiful's allegation was a malicious lie and the result of a political conspiracy against his client in 1998, which was finally dismissed by the Federal Court.

NONE Anwar's acquittal, he said, is based on evidence adduced in court and clearly confirmed the suspicious and flimsy nature of the allegation and showed manipulation and fabrication of evidence.

“As far as Anwar is concerned, his stand has been vindicated through the acquittal and his reputation protected. He has no interest at this point in simply pursuing a monetary remedy for damages against Saiful who in reality has just been a willing instrument in the malicious hands of others.

“Anwar has therefore decided to discontinue the action that was initiated in 2008 with immediate effect. However, should the malicious libel which was stated in the police report be repeated, he will have no hesitation in initiating legal action again,” Ranjit said in the statement.