KUALA LUMPUR: Former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak has withdrawn his defamation suit against former transport minister Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik (pic) over the alleged misuse of public funds.

Dr Ling's lawyer Ranjit Singh told reporters after meeting High Court judicial commissioner Goon Siew Chye in chambers that Najib decided to withdraw the suit against his client and the court ordered him to pay a RM25,000 in costs.

Ranjit said Dr Ling has also withdrawn his counter claim against Najib.

Najib's lawyer Datuk Mohd Hafarizam Harun confirmed the matter.

In his suit, Najib said an online news portal published an article on Oct 3, 2015, quoting Dr Ling’s statements against him while attending a ceremony at the Tunku Abdul Rahman University College.

In his statement of claim filed on Oct 27, 2015, Najib sought damages and an injunction to restrain Dr Ling from further speaking or publishing or causing to be published any similar defamatory words against him.

The former premier had also asked for an order that Dr Ling publish a written apology in newspapers or magazines to be identified by him.

In his statement of defence, Dr Ling denied all the allegations and said the civil claim was frivolous and vexatious.

He said that since Najib had admitted that RM2.6bil was indeed transferred into his personal bank account, he was relying on the defence of fair comment and qualified privilege for his remarks.