In a consent judgment, Mujahid, who is now Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, withdrew his statement of claim while Kamarul retracted his counter-claim.

Kamarul later read his statement of apology in open court before judge Nik Hasmat Nik Mohamad.

Mujahid was also present in court today.

The lecturer will also publish his expression of regret in his personal Facebook account today.

Nik Hasmat did not order costs to Mujahid, who was represented by Mohd Fitri Asmuni.

The judge thanked both parties for settling the matter without having to go through a protracted legal battle.

“The defendant has been sincere in expressing his apologies and this is a significant development,” she said, adding that both had saved the court’s time and resources in coming to an amicable solution.

Last year, Mujahid had filed the suit claiming Kamarul had defamed him through a Facebook posting.

Mujahid had also applied to the court for an injunction to stop Kamarul from republishing the statement.

The Amanah leader had sought RM5 million in general damages as well as compensatory, aggravated and exemplary damages.

Kamarul, who is also the former director of UUM’s Institute for Political Studies, in his Facebook post on May 25, accused Mujahid of being a “kuda tunggangan terbaik parti DAP” (the best tool of DAP).

He made the allegation after Mujahid was quoted by news portal Malaysiakini on May 24, 2017 as defending then Selangor state assembly speaker Hannah Yeoh against attacks by Kamarul over her autobiography entitled “Becoming Hannah – A Personal Journey”.

Kamarul claimed the book had tried to proselytise Muslims.

“The accusation against Mujahid was made with ill intention to damage his reputation and character.

“It also jeopardised the image, standing and career of the plaintiff as a Muslim, MP and leader in his party and community,” said Fitri.

Before filing the suit, Mujahid sent a letter of demand to Kamarul to retract his posting and apologise but the lecturer refused.