Kedah MB’s Press Secretary, KDA FC Owner Settle Defamation Suit Amicably

ALOR SETAR, Feb 5 (Bernama) -- A defamation suit filed by the majority owner of Kedah Darul Aman Football Club (KDA FC), Tan Sri Dr Mohd Daud Bakar, against the Kedah Menteri Besar’s Press Secretary, Muhamad Mat Yakim, was settled amicably at the Sessions Court today.

The settlement, which followed an apology from the defendant, was confirmed by the plaintiff's counsel, Ashraf Sohaimi, as an out-of-court resolution.

"The parties have agreed to the terms, and as a result, the case has been concluded today without proceeding to a full trial," he told reporters after the terms of settlement were recorded in the chambers of Judge Datuk Ibrahim Osman.

The proceedings were also attended by the defendant's counsel, Abdul Hadi Ahmad.

On Jan 20, it was reported that the defamation suit had been set to proceed after a mediation attempt at the Alor Setar Court Mediation Centre proved unsuccessful.

In the originating suit filed October last year, Mohd Daud alleged that on June 29, 2025, Muhamad had published a statement containing inaccurate facts concerning the ownership of KFA FC on Facebook. 

In his suit, Mohd Daud named Muhamad as the sole defendant, seeking general, aggravated and exemplary damages.

During the apology proceedings, Muhamad acknowledged the full retraction of all contested statements and issued an unconditional apology for any distress caused, as well as for the harm inflicted upon Mohd Daud’s reputation and standing as a result of his remarks.

Muhamad also provided a formal undertaking not to issue any further statements of a similar nature concerning Mohd Daud in the future, whether directly or indirectly.

-- BERNAMA