PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim has today withdrawn his suit against former home minister Syed Hamid Albar after the latter made a retraction and apologised at the Kuala Lumpur High Court.

Syed Hamid read out the statement in the chambers of Justice Nik Hasmat Nik Mohamed.

Anwar told reporters outside court that Syed Hamid said he had no intention of hurting his feelings and considered the newspaper report was inaccurate.

“I accepted and decided to withdraw the suit. He apologised and said he did not mean it that way and hence this is settled,” said the opposition leader.

“I am appreciative of the fact that Syed Hamid retracted and clarified that it was not his intention as reported in the media and apologised. I accepted in good faith his clarification and apologies and chose to withdraw the suit against him,” he added,

Anwar had sued Syed Hamid, who is now the Land Transport Commission chairperson, for RM100 million for alleging that Anwar was a Washington agent.

The opposition leader named Syed Hamid as the first and the Malaysian government as the second defendants, alleging that the former home minister uttered defamatory words against him at the Parliament lobby on July 2, 2008 and the statement appeared in The Star newspaper on July 3, 2008.

Anwar said the article portrayed him as a traitor, as disloyal to the country, religion and the people, and as an untrustworthy person.

The opposition leader was represented by Sankara Nair while senior federal counsel Mohd Abazafree Mohd Abbas appeared for Syed Hamid and the government.

Both were seen discussing in a frank manner in court before proceeding to the judge's chambers.