UUM's Kamarul Zaman retracts 'DAP stooge' post, apologises to Mujahid

Universiti Utara Malaysia lecturer Kamarul Zaman Yusoff today issued an apology to Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Mujahid Rawa Yusof and retracted a statement he made on Facebook describing the Parit Buntar MP as a liberal and a DAP stooge.

The post, which was published on May 25 last year, was titled "Mujahid antara kuda tunggangan terbaik DAP" (Mujahid is one of DAP's best stooges).

Mujahid's lawyer Mohd Fitri Asmuni informed Kuala Lumpur High Court judge Nik Hasmat Nik Mohamad of the settlement reached between the two parties.

The settlement involved the plaintiff, Mujahid (photo), withdrawing his suit and Kamarul Zaman withdrawing his counterclaim after the lecturer read out a statement in court.

Kamarul Zaman in his retraction and apology said he believed the statement made on Facebook had meant that he viewed Mujahid as a liberal, that the MP believes in unnatural sexual practices, does not respect Islam or Rukunegara, does not possess the integrity of a true Muslim, a stooge of DAP and is not qualified to be a society or party leader.

"I regret as to the publication of this article and I humbly and sincerely apologised to Mujahid for the article.

"I hereby withdraw the article and will not republish or repeat the words again," the lecturer said.

As part of the settlement, Kamarul Zaman is also to publish the statement he read in open court on his Facebook page.

After reading Kamarul Zaman’s retraction of the Facebook post and his apology, Justice Nik Hasmat recorded a consent judgment in the withdrawal of the suit.

She said that a bulk of court cases comprise defamation suits and that there are two views - either one expresses regret and asks for forgiveness or proceeds with the suit.

"I am glad that the parties have agreed to settle the case and this is very significant," the judge said, adding that initially, the hearing was fixed for December and today was not fixed for mediation, which in her experience, could drag for long hours over many days.

Fitri also said that the parties had agreed that no damages and costs were to be paid.

It was reported that Mujahid who is also Amanah vice-president, had filed the defamation suit seeking RM5 million from the lecturer for the posting.

He also sought an open apology from Kamarul Zaman and an injunction. Kamarul Zaman made the statement following Mujahid's defence of then Selangor speaker Hannah Yeoh's book.

Commenting on this settlement, Mujahid said he hopes that the issue of him being a stooge would no longer arise following the retraction and apology.