Sungai Besar Umno chief Jamal Md Yunos has publicly apologised to former minister Yeo Bee Yin as part of a settlement in a defamation suit against him.
The defendant read out the apology from a prepared statement at the lobby of the Kuala Lumpur Courts Complex this morning before journalists and other media personnel.
In 2017, the former energy, science, technology, environment and climate change minister filed a suit against Jamal over allegation of abuse of funds from Yayasan Warisan Anak Selangor (Yawas).
Yeo, who is also Bakri MP, was not present in court.
High Court judge Rohana Ali Yusof recorded the settlement between parties as conveyed by their lawyers.
Earlier, Jamal admitted that he had defamed Yeo, describing her as honest and transparent in the management of the funds.
“I, Jamal Md Yunos, apologise for defaming Yeo Bee Yin before this, and I now acknowledge that Yeo Bee Yin is someone who is honest and transparent in the management of funds at Skim Mesra Usia Emas.
“I wish to apologise to Yeo Bee Yin for my mistake. I apologise, Yeo Bee Yin.
“I speak these words over the mistake made four years ago,” he said before the glare of the media spotlight.
“For me, in politics, despite differences in ideology and party, we (Jamal and Yeo) still managed to settle the matter amicably and help save the court’s time.
“I regard Yeo Bee Yin as magnanimous and thank her, and together to lead and be the nation’s leaders of the future,” he said.
With the public apology serving to fully settle the defamation suit between Yeo and Jamal, all previously scheduled hearing dates of the legal action have been vacated.
Yeo’s counsel Sankara Nair said Jamal’s public apology has helped remove the taint on her reputation.
“There is a general imputation in law that all persons are of good repute until otherwise proved. Reputation is therefore a valuable commodity to all.
“With the public apology by Jamal to my client, which had cast a taint on my client’s untarnished reputation, now it has been indelibly removed.
“It is irrefutable that my client’s reputation is impeccable. She is fully vindicated,” he added.
Counsel Mohamed Nasser Yusof appeared for Jamal.
According to a copy of the consent judgment between both parties, the terms of the settlement involve Jamal reading out the apology to Yeo before media representatives.
The terms include an agreement that Jamal would not further speak, write or publish the defamatory words, and with no order as to costs.
It does not include requiring the defendant to pay any monetary compensation to the plaintiff.
The terms are also not applicable in relation to other similar suits against Jamal.
The Umno division chief is also being sued by former primary industries minister Teresa Kok over allegation of abuse of funds at Yawas.
Kok’s defamation suit against Jamal is fixed for a full hearing at the Kuala Lumpur High Court from May 27 to June 4. - Mkini
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.