Defamation suit settled after blogger says sorry to consul of Mongolia
BANDAR Tun Razak Umno division secretary Abdul Zaharin Mohd Yasin apologised to the honorary consul of Mongolia, Datuk Syed Abdul Rahman Alhabshi, in a consent settlement in a defamation suit filed two years ago.
Abdul Zaharin read out his apology in front of High Court judge Datuk Lau Bee Lan.
He apologised to Syed Abdul Rahman, who is also the Bandar Tun Razak division Information chief, for two defamatory statements published in Zaharin's Facebook account.
"I would like to sincerely and unconditionally apologise to Datuk Syed Abdul Rahman Alhabshi for the defamatory statements made in my Facebook page on July 11, 2010 and Aug 1, 2010 to Aug 2, 2010," said the blogger.
"I would not republish both defamatory statements in any way." Later, the two shook hands in the public gallery.
Syed Abdul Rahman's lawyer, Datuk Jahabardeen Mohd Yunoos, said the case had been settled amicably.
"The plaintiff will not claim cost or damages and the action will be discontinued," he said.
Jahabardeen said that apologising in open court was one of the conditions in the terms of settlement.
Abdul Zaharin, who was represented by lawyer Md Radzi Mustafa, said he decided to apologise because both he and Syed Abdul Rahman were Umno leaders and their focus should be on the 13th general election.
Syed Abdul Rahman said he accepted the apology and hoped the act would not be repeated.
In his suit filed on Aug 20, 2010, Syed Abdul Rahman said Abdul Zaharin's Facebook status was defamatory and libellous and, among others, implied that Syed Abdul Rahman was a traitor to Umno and dishonestly made use of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak's name.
Syed Abdul Rahman said the publication had offended him.
He had sought for general, aggravated and exemplary damages for defamation and an injunction to stop republication of the statement.
In the statement of defence filed on Oct 13, 2010, Abdul Zaharin denied publishing any statement offensive to any party.
Abdul Zaharin read out his apology in front of High Court judge Datuk Lau Bee Lan.
He apologised to Syed Abdul Rahman, who is also the Bandar Tun Razak division Information chief, for two defamatory statements published in Zaharin's Facebook account.
"I would like to sincerely and unconditionally apologise to Datuk Syed Abdul Rahman Alhabshi for the defamatory statements made in my Facebook page on July 11, 2010 and Aug 1, 2010 to Aug 2, 2010," said the blogger.
"I would not republish both defamatory statements in any way." Later, the two shook hands in the public gallery.
Syed Abdul Rahman's lawyer, Datuk Jahabardeen Mohd Yunoos, said the case had been settled amicably.
"The plaintiff will not claim cost or damages and the action will be discontinued," he said.
Jahabardeen said that apologising in open court was one of the conditions in the terms of settlement.
Abdul Zaharin, who was represented by lawyer Md Radzi Mustafa, said he decided to apologise because both he and Syed Abdul Rahman were Umno leaders and their focus should be on the 13th general election.
Syed Abdul Rahman said he accepted the apology and hoped the act would not be repeated.
In his suit filed on Aug 20, 2010, Syed Abdul Rahman said Abdul Zaharin's Facebook status was defamatory and libellous and, among others, implied that Syed Abdul Rahman was a traitor to Umno and dishonestly made use of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak's name.
Syed Abdul Rahman said the publication had offended him.
He had sought for general, aggravated and exemplary damages for defamation and an injunction to stop republication of the statement.
In the statement of defence filed on Oct 13, 2010, Abdul Zaharin denied publishing any statement offensive to any party.
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