Jaringan Melayu Malaysia president Azwanddin Hamzah today apologised in open court for statements against Minister in the Prime Minister's Department P Waythamoorthy during a rally last year and agreed to pay RM90,000 in compensation.

Azwanddin (on left in photo above) had during the Christmas Day rally in Klang last year, among others, used the word "p****h", a word deemed derogatory by the Indian community, on Waythamoorthy.

Waythamoorthy subsequently filed a defamation suit against Azwanddin in the High Court in Kuala Lumpur.

The hearing for the defamation suit was due to start today before judicial commissioner Rohani Ismail but both parties agreed to a settlement before proceedings began.

As part of the settlement, Azwanddin also agreed to publish an apology in Berita Harian, Makkal Osai and on his Facebook page.

As for the payment of RM90,000, it must be made within 30 days via a bank draft or by online banking.

The terms were recorded as consent judgment at the High Court in Kuala Lumpur.

Waythamoorthy, who was present in court, later told journalists that he hopes the matter will now be brought to a close.

"I suppose it has come to an end, after almost one year.

"He has apologised and agreed to the terms and the matter is closed," he said.

Waythamoorthy was represented by lawyers Annou Xavier and Tristan Ng while Azwanddin was not represented as his lawyer had been discharged.

The rally last year was intended for the late firefighter Muhammad Adib Mohd Kassim, who succumbed to his injuries on Dec 17 last year after being attacked by rioters near the Seafield Sri Maha Mariamman Temple in Subang Jaya a month earlier.

Organisers of the rally had criticised Azwanddin for his controversial speech in blaming certain government leaders for Adib's death.