Ex-AG Apandi willing to settle suit against Mahathir, govt through mediation, says lawyer

Mohamed Apandi Ali is willing to settle his suit against Dr Mahathir Mohamad and the government of Malaysia over his termination as the attorney-general (AG) through mediation, his lawyer says.

Apandi filed the suit on Oct 13 last year, seeking among others a declaration that his termination of service as the AG by the former prime minister was unlawful.

Lawyer Abd Shukor Ahmad, representing Apandi, said they had submitted the mediation form to the AG’s Chambers (AGC) through email on May 21.

“My client (Apandi) is ready for trial, but at the same time willing to negotiate to settle the suit,” he told reporters through WhatsApp after case management held online before judicial commissioner Latifah Mohd Tahar today.

Federal counsel Lau Wen Yen, representing Mahathir and the government, also attended the proceedings.

Shukor said the next case management had been set for Sept 29.

Meanwhile, senior federal counsel Shamsul Bolhassan when contacted said the AGC had received the email from the plaintiff.

In his statement of claim, Apandi, who was a Federal Court judge before being appointed as AG in 2015, sought among others a declaration that the first defendant had committed misfeasance and misconduct in public office, and a declaration that the first defendant had caused and induced a breach of contract between him and the government of Malaysia.

He is seeking special damages of RM2,233,599.36, general damages, exemplary and/or punitive damages, costs and other relief deemed fit by the court.

The two defendants, in their statement of defence filed on Nov 12, said there was no abuse of power by Mahathir in the termination of Apandi as AG as it was done in accordance with the provisions of the law.