Journalist denies writing article on Karpal Singh with malicious intent

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 28 — An Utusan Melayu journalist told the High Court here today that he had no malicious intent when he wrote an article on DAP chairman Karpal Singh four years ago.

Zulkifli Jalil, 40, however, admitted that there was inaccuracies and misunderstanding in the article titled “DAP diingat jangan bakar perasaan Melayu” (DAP reminded not to inflame sentiments of Malays).

Zulkifli said that when writing the article, he did not realise that there was a difference in the meaning of rejecting an Islamic state and rejecting Islam as the official religion of the country.

He also admitted to the court that he did not contact the DAP chairman to clarify the matter when writing the article and that it was written based on his experience and other news reports on Karpal Singh’s (picture) views on PAS’ struggle to form an Islamic state.

Zulkifli,  who is now a news editor at Utusan Melayu (M) Bhd, was testifying in the hearing of the RM10-million suit brought Karpal Singh against Utusan Melayu (M) Berhad four years ago for misquoting him on a matter relating to Islam.

During the proceedings, Zulkifli apologised several times to Karpal Singh, saying that he only realised that the article was inaccurate after Utusan Melayu published an ‘apology’ on Aug 26, 2008 to retract the statement and apologise for the error.

Meanwhile, Karpal Singh, in his witness statement read out in court, said the said words (that he rejects Islam as the official religion of the country) were untrue and that he had never said those words.

He said that Islam was the official religion of Malaysia as guaranteed under Article 3(1) of the Federal Constitution with freedom to practice all other religions in peace and harmony and that he had consistently maintained that stand in his public speeches and in Parliament for the last 26 years.

“Because of this article, people have begun to brand me as being anti-Islam and someone who deliberately wants to create ill-will among different communities in the country.

“This has a serious adverse impact on my reputation personally and as a professional and politician,” he said.

Karpal Singh, who is Bukit Gelugor Member of Parliament, filed the suit on Sept 19, 2008, claiming that the Utusan Malaysia newspaper had published a defamatory article on his welcoming speech at the 15th DAP National Congress held on Aug 25, 2008.

The hearing before Judge Datuk Nik Hasmat Nik Mohamad resumes on Sept 24.

Lawyer B. Mohana Kumar represented the defendant, while Karpal Singh was represented by lawyer Sangeet Kaur. — Bernama