The newspaper’s lawyer, Wan Azmir Wan Majid, read the consent judgment before High Court judge Justice Noraini Abdul Rahman on Wednesday.
“On Utusan’s report dated 2 March 2013 that accused Anwar as the mastermind in the Lahad Datu (intrusion), we understand the articles quoting Manila Times and Inquirer News were baseless and had caused injustice to him,” said Wan Azmir.
“We now express our regret to him as the publication had embarrassed and caused him distress,” he added.
Utusan will publish the statement of regret in two weeks’ time in the paper.
The Malay daily also pledged not to publish the same statement again.
It also agreed to pay Anwar a sum of RM50,000 as part of the settlement agreement.
Justice Noraini commented that “it’s good to settle the lawsuit” instead of pursuing it.
“I thank the lawyers for the plaintiff and defendants for coming to an amicable settlement,” she said.
Anwar’s lawyer S. Ambiga told reporters the trial against TV3 and the editors on the same matter will proceed as there was no settlement.
Anwar sued Utusan and TV3 in March 2013 for alleging his involvement in the Lahad Datu intrusion.
He also named Utusan managing editor Abdul Aziz Ishak, Media Prima news and editorial operations director Shaharudin Abd. Latif and Bulletin Utama editor Ing Boon Seng in the lawsuit.
He is seeking RM100 million in damages.