Gobala apologises to Saravanan, defamation case settled

The defamation suit filed by Deputy Youth and Sports Minister M Saravanan against N Gobalakrishnan was settled after the former Padang Serai MP made a public apology in the High Court in Kuala Lumpur today.

The suit was filed following Gobalakrishnan's statement in a press conference at the Sri Pacific Hotel in Kuala Lumpur on July 7 last year, alleging, among others, that the MIC vice-president was a liar.

The suit was deemed settled after Gobalakrishnan, as the defendant, read the apology to Saravanan before Judge S Nantha Balan.

"I, Gobalakrishnan, the defendant named in this action, do hereby admit having called for a press conference on July 7, 2015, at the Sri Pacific Hotel Kuala Lumpur and causing words to be published and/or caused to be published matters in relation to the Saravanan based on a poison-pen letter that I had received on June 30, 2015," he read.

Gobalakrishan also admitted that his posting of the above publications attracted numerous attention and comments and resulted in news articles being published including articles in the Rakyat Post alternative media on July 7, 2015.

"For those of who have read the articles as a result of my publication and comment, I now accept that the same, without exceptions, are defamatory and untrue.

"I also accept that my conduct that resulted in the publication of articles have caused severe embarrassment and distress to the plaintiff (Saravanan) and I wish to take this opportunity to clarify the situation to all those who read the articles that had resulted as a consequence of the press conference," he said, adding that he withdraws and retracts all of his statements unreservedly and unconditionally.

Gobalakrishnan said that he sincerely regretted and hereby unconditionally apologised for making, publishing and causing to be published these statements and casting false imputations in respect of the plaintiff, and/or his office as the deputy minister of Youth and Sports Ministry and/or the vice- president of MIC and/or the founder of New Affirmative Action Movement (NAAM).

The court then struck out the suit and thanked both the plaintiff and defendant for agreeing to settle the case without seeking any compensation and costs.

Saravanan was represented by counsel V Premshangar, while Gobalakrishnan was represented by M Manoharan.

- Bernama