A Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court today recorded an apology from PAS lawmaker Zulkifli Ismail and the party’s mouthpiece Harakah to Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek for defaming her in 2023.
On Nov 5, 2023, Zulkifli reportedly alleged that the Education Ministry had banned the “takbir” (proclaiming Allah’s greatness) and recitation of Islamic prayers during a Palestine Solidarity Week held in schools nationwide.
The Jasin MP read out a statement of apology to Fadhlina before Sessions Court judge Hilmiah Yusof, who also ordered RM15,000 in costs to be paid to the Nibong Tebal MP, Free Malaysia Today reported.
“After reviewing the statements, we acknowledge that they gave rise to various interpretations and caused misunderstanding among the public towards Fadhlina, thereby affecting her reputation.
“In fact, schools were permitted to chant the takbir and recite the ‘qunut nazilah’ during the Palestine Solidarity Week. We therefore apologise to Fadhlina for the statements,” Zulkifli was quoted as saying.
According to FMT, Zulkifli’s remarks were made at a separate event held in solidarity with the Palestinians, and were published by the online portal Harakahdaily and the newspaper Harakah the following day.
Fadhlina’s suit named Zulkifli, Galeri Media Serbanika Sdn Bhd (Harakah) and Harakah’s then chief editor, Mazlan Jusoh, as defendants.
Settlement reached
In her original letter of demand dated Nov 22, 2023, Fadhlina had given Zulkifli and Harakahdaily 48 hours to pay her RM500,000 for alleged defamation.
Further, Zulkifli reportedly told the court he and Harakah agreed to settle the dispute with Fadhlina as there were more important issues of national interest that required attention at this time.
They also promised not to repeat, republish, disseminate or comment on the said statements or make other statements of similar effect in any way or form.
Lawyers Ibrahim Mohamad and Nor Aziah Harun represented Fadhlina, while Yusfarizal Yusoff and Faizi Che Abu represented Zulkifli.
Darwisy Roslan and Afifah Latiff represented Harakah. - Mkini
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