KUALA LUMPUR: The dispute between former Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin and Datuk Lokman Noor Adam over the latter's remarks on the government's Covid-19 national vaccination programme was resolved today after the two parties reached an out-of-court settlement.
Khairy, who had initially filed a lawsuit against Lokman for defamation, was present at court proceedings today.
He was represented by his lawyer, Rashid Zulkifli.
High Court Judge John Lee Kien How @ Mohd Johan Lee recorded his consent judgment after the Umno Supreme Council member agreed to publish an apology to Khairy as well as to pay the latter an undisclosed sum as compensation.
The apology is to be published on Lokman's Facebook and YouTube pages.
The outspoken Umno man also agreed to delete the impugned postings which include two videos.
Lokman, who was represented by Logen Eksander Abdullah and Norfazilah Jaafar, was absent.
On Feb 22, last year, the former Rembau member of parliament claimed Lokman had defamed him by publishing two statements and uploading a picture on his Facebook account 'Lokman Noor Adam Official' on Jan 6.
The plaintiff also claimed Lokman had made the same defamatory statements during his live YouTube session on Jan 10.
Khairy claimed the nature of the publications were clearly designed to undermine the government's efforts in the existing battle against the Covid-19 pandemic.
"The defamatory publications spread false news and information in respect of the Covid-19 vaccinations," the statement added.
Khairy is seeking for the defendant to pay general, exemplary, aggravated damages and other relief deemed fit by the court.
He is also seeking a court order for Lokman to take down the video and posts as well as an injunction to restrain the defendants from republishing them.