Pairin, Yong call off legal battle
Tuesday, 14 March 2006 (Source: Daily Express)

KOTA KINABALU: Two former chief ministers - Datuk Joseph Pairin Kitingan and Datuk Yong Teck Lee - called off their legal battle in the High Court here Monday, over an alleged defamatory remark by the latter nine years ago.

Pairin, who is currently Deputy Chief Minister, said that the settlement was for the good of the State and the people.

"We have discussed the matter and agreed to solve it once and for all, and we have informed the judge that we have graciously accepted that the matter is solved amicably," Pairin said when met at the High Court compound here.

The case was supposed to be heard by High Court judge Datuk Ian Chin.

In the statement of claim filed through advocate Yunof Maringking in 1998, Pairin contended that Yong, as the then Chief Minister of Sabah, launched the Sustainable Forest Management (SFM) and delivered a policy speech containing defamatory words concerning Pairin pertaining to timber concession.

Pairin said he and Yong would be organising a symbolic celebration soon to mark the peace and harmony following the settlement.

Meanwhile, Yong concurred with Pairin that the case was now put to rest for the common good.

"We are both happy we have come to this resolution and urge everybody to continue to work together.

"We recognise Pairin as a respectable leader in the State and look forward to enhancing cooperation," he said.