KUALA LUMPUR, July 20 (Bernama) -- The parties to a defamation suit filed by Lynas Corporation Limited and Lynas Malaysia Sdn Bhd against the operator of online news portal 'Free Malaysia Today', MToday News Sdn Bhd, will record a settlement on the matter at the High Court on July 27.

According to sources, the case would be heard before High Court Judge Datuk Nor Bee Ariffin.

The settlement follows an apology on July 17 by MToday News Sdn Bhd to Lynas over the article.MToday News posted the apology on its website, www.freemalaysiatoday.com, over the previously published articles claiming the Lynas plant may be unsafe to the public.

"We apologise for these publications as such claims do not have a scientific basis. The regulatory review of the Lynas plant has been thorough and diligent," it said.

On April 19, Lynas Corporation of Sydney, Australia, and Lynas Malaysia filed the suit against MToday News, over a March 6 defamatory article published on its website.

Lynas sought general and aggravated damages, costs and an injunction restraining the defendant from publishing further defamatory articles on Lynas.