Senior lawyer Rosli Dahlan today agreed to withdraw his suit against MCA-owned daily The Star over a defamation suit he filed in 2009, relating to its report of his arrest and charge on the eve of Hari Raya in 2007.

In return, The Star will issue an apology in its edition tomorrow and will also pay damages to three charities of Rosli's choice, as well as costs.

NONEThe mediation was recorded before Kuala Lumpur High Court judge Hasnah Hashim and the case, which was fixed for hearing today before Justice Hew Siew Kheng, was withdrawn, without liberty to file afresh.

Justice Hasnah also ordered The Star to pay costs to Rosli.

Rosli (right) said the suit against The Star was part of a continuing saga to clear his name after he was humiliatingly picked up by the Anti-Corruption Agency from his firm, Lee, Hishammuddin, Allen and Gledhill, five years ago.

At that time, several mainstream newspapers were allegedly fed with what he claimed were incorrect stories about him, resulting in what is now known as the "Copgate affair".

This also resulted in him being charged with not abiding by the ACA's notice to declare his assets.

Acquitted in 2011

When Rosli was charged in a sessions court in Kuala Lumpur in 2007, his lawyer told the court that the arrest was orchestrated to injure his client's reputation.

Rosli was acquitted of the charge in 2011. The Attorney-General's Chambers appealed the matter, but withdrew the appeal last year.

Prior to his acquittal, Rosli had filed suits against the ACA successor Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, Utusan Malaysia, New Straits Times and The Star.

Utusan Malaysia had earlier issued a public apology over its reports against Rosli. However, Rosli plans to continue with his defamation suits against the Umno-owned daily, the MACC and New Straits Times.

The Star was represented by Yee Mei Ken and Teh Soo Jin, while Chetan Jethwani appeared for Rosli.

Rosli wants accountability

Rosli, 51, had in his statement of claim said his suit followed a series of articles quoting ACA sources on investigations into a “RM27 million cop” story that implicated former Commercial Crime Investigations Department director Ramli Yusuff.

The Star reported Rosli's arrest and charge to mean that he was holding property for Ramli and was his nominee, and concealing or abetting with Ramli in concealing such assets from the authorities.

Rosli named Star Publications (M) Bhd, its editor-in-chief Wong Chun Wai and former journalist Lourdes Charles as defendants.

On the withdrawal of his suit, Rosli said he was being magnanimous since The Star has acknowledged its mistake in the report and s willing to apologise.

“I do not want to make money out of the suit, but the matter is about clearing my name following those actions, and to hold those who had done so to be held accountable. If they are willing to apologise, then I am agreeable to discuss,” he said.

“That is why I am putting the proceeds to charities that I have agreed upon.”

Rosli has also filed a stay of proceedings and appeal on his suit against Utusan Malaysia and the ACA for RM50 million.

This follows Justice Hew's Jan 3 ruling allowing the objection by senior federal counsel on the expunging of six questions from Rosli's witness statement before testifying in the trial proper, which has been fixed for next week.