KUALA LUMPUR: In a surprise move, two defamation suits involving Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad before Judicial Commissioner Gan Techiong have been discontinued.

This follows lawyers for both parties informing the judge that they had reached an amicable settlement and would not proceed with the suits, including one in which Zahid had cited Mahathir for contempt.