Jasin MP, Harakah Apologise To Minister Fadhlina

KUALA LUMPUR, April 20 (Bernama) -- Jasin Member of Parliament Zulkifli Ismail and Harakah newspaper have issued a public apology to Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek over defamatory statements made in 2023.

Reading out the agreed judgment in the Sessions Court today, Zulkifli said the defendants acknowledged that the statements had led to misinterpretation and public misunderstanding, damaging the minister’s reputation.

“We therefore agree to fully, unconditionally and unequivocally withdraw the statements,” he said.

Judge Hilmiah Yusof recorded the consent judgment and ordered the three defendants to pay RM15,000 in costs to the plaintiff.

Fadhlina had filed the defamation suit against Zulkifli, former Harakah editor-in-chief Mazlan Jusoh and publisher Galeri Media Serbanika Sdn Bhd over allegations linked to restrictions on takbir recitations and the Qunut Nazilah prayer during a Palestine Solidarity Week.

Through the consent judgment, Zulkifli also said that schools were in fact allowed to recite takbir and perform the Qunut Nazilah prayer during Palestine Solidarity Week.

“As such, we apologise to Honourable Minister Fadhlina for the statements made and agree to pay RM15,000 in costs,” he said.

The MP added that the defendants had undertaken not to repeat, republish, disseminate or comment on the statements, or any similar claims, in any form, whether verbal, written or social, print or electronic media.

Zulkifli said they would take all reasonable and necessary steps to ensure the statements are removed, deleted and no longer circulated by any parties under their control.

He also expressed appreciation to the Sessions Court judge, court officials and legal teams for their professionalism in handling the case, and voiced hope that the settlement would be respected by all parties and not used in a way that could undermine unity and harmony in Malaysia.

Earlier, lawyer Mohamed Ibrahim Mohamad, representing Fadhlina, informed the court that all parties had reached an amicable settlement and agreed to a consent judgment.

“The trial was scheduled today, but I was informed that the parties have successfully resolved the matter and a draft judgment has been submitted to the court,” he said.

The settlement was confirmed by lawyers Yusfarizal Yusoff and Mohd Faizi Che Abu, who represented Zulkifli, while Muhammad Darwisy Roslan and Afifah Latiff represented Mazlan and the publisher.

Speaking to reporters after the proceedings, Fadhlina expressed relief that her name had been cleared of the defamatory allegations.

“I was prepared to proceed with the trial today, but I felt that when there is space for settlement, the most important thing is to clear my name. What I wanted to hear was an apology, and I received that today, Alhamdulillah.

“As for the RM15,000 costs, I will fully channel it towards the Palestine Solidarity campaign in Jasin. I am satisfied today because the false allegations, particularly on the alleged ban of takbir and Qunut Nazilah, had a serious impact. So when they apologised and withdrew all the statements, it means the allegations were not true,” Fadhlina said.

According to her statement of claim, the plaintiff alleged that the defendants had claimed she had banned takbir and Qunut Nazilah in schools, portraying her as sinful and hypocritical in religious terms.

She further alleged the defamatory statements were made and published with malice, intended to damage her reputation as Education Minister.

-- BERNAMA