SHAH ALAM: Mediation involving two former Selangor Menteri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim and Dr Mohamad Khir Toyo over defamation allegations commenced yesterday.
Abdul Khalid instituted two lawsuits against Dr Mohamad Khir on Feb 18, 2009 for the latter’s alleged slanderous statements implicating him in the purchase of a Toyota Lexus car and 46 sacrificial cows.
The plaintiff’s lawyer S N Nair said the outcome of the mediation, whether or not both parties had reached an agreement, would be conveyed to judicial commissioner M Gunalan on March 25.
“If no agreement has been reached by then, we will continue with the negotiations the same day,” he told reporters when met at the mediation centre at Shah Alam Court.
Both the plaintiff and defendant were also present with their lawyers during the process facilitated by Mediation Centre chief Fathiyah Idris.
Abdul Khalid in his allegations referred to an article published in The New Straits Times under the heading, ‘Lexus is my own, says Khalid’ on Jan 15, 2009.
He also referred to an article published in Utusan Malaysia under the heading, ‘Lepaskan Jawatan MB’ (Let go of the MB post) on Jan 23, 2009.
The plaintiff alleged that the two articles directly and indirectly alluded to him and implied that he was dishonest, unethical and had abused his position as menteri besar.
Abdul Khalid also accused Mohamad Khir of accepting and disclosing a purported classified document about his so-called misconduct in regard to the sacrificial cows without first verifying the authenticity of the information. The plaintiff further alleged that the defendant had made false accusations against him.
Meanwhile, Abdul Khalid said he filed the actions to protect his reputation as menteri besar (then) and his professional image.
“I want an affirmation that the issues (Mohamad Khir’s allegations) are either true or false. If false, then there must be a clarification and rectification.I need to ensure that my reputation as menteri besar (then) and a professional remain intact, that’s all. I am not hoping for anything else,” he said without elaborating on what transpired during the mediation process. — Bernama