PKR will find an “amicable” solution over the court's order for PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang to pay RM2 million to former PKR Bukit Besi candidate Mohd Shamsul Mat Amin for defamation.

The party leadership will do so for the “common good” of both parties, PKR's communications director Fahmi Fadzil said yesterday.

“The PKR leadership has, before this, felt that the suit should not proceed but Shamsul insisted on clearing his name over the allegation made during the 13th general election.

“However, the PKR leadership will take steps to ensure this case can be resolved amicably and with wisdom for the common good...,” Fahmi ( above ) said in a statement.

When asked, Fahmi added that the goal of the discussion is so that Hadi does not have to pay the hefty award.        

In a default judgment on Feb 17, the High Court in Kuala Terengganu ordered Hadi to pay RM2 million in damages for defaming Shamsul, who is also Dungun PKR Youth chief.

                        

‘Drug peddlers’

The defamation suit was in relation to a ceramah by Hadi during campaigning for the 13th general election last year.

In justifying PAS' decision to place its candidate in seats being contested by its allies, Hadi had accused some Pakatan Rakyat candidates of pushing drugs (pil kuda or methamphetamines).

Shamsul ( left ), a housing developer, was PKR's candidate for the Bukit Besi state seat in Terengganu. He garnered only 52 votes to PAS' 4,408 votes, but BN won with 6,966 votes.

Shamsul had sent a letter of demand to Hadi, demanding a public apology.

In his statement of claim, he said Hadi had caused him emotional and mental distress, and to be ridiculed in the public eye.