Woman says sorry for FB attack on Christian community

KOTA KINABALU: A woman who was sued after making provocative rants against the Christian community on Facebook has apologised for it in the Sessions Court.

Wan Asshima Kamaruddin, 38, submitted her apology to judge Dayang Ellyn Narisa Abang Ahmad during an amicable settlement over the suit brought against her by lawyer Marcel Jude.

“I applaud the approach of both the plaintiff (Jude) and the defendant (Asshima) in settling the matter,” Dayang Ellyn said when closing the case after both agreed to the settlement.

Under the consent order, Asshima apologised for her “unlawful” statement against Jude and the Christian community.

She had made the provocative statements after the High Court decision to allow Christians to use the word “Allah”.

Asshima also undertook not to utter such statements against the Christian community of Malaysia as well as not to repeat similar acts or carry out the threats in her statement.

She will also pay RM500 in cost to Jude.

In her apology, Asshima said she will be more rational and respectful of other races in the country.

“I hope the Christians in the country will accept me as a human being who has made a mistake,” she said.

Jude, in accepting her apology, said: “I wish her all the best in her future and I also wish to thank the court on the part you have undertaken in the amicable settlement.”

The proceedings were held via videoconferencing.

Jude had filed the suit against Asshima on March 26 last year after she made the provocative statements against Christians on her Facebook page “Puteri Mujahidah Wan Asshima Kamaruddin”.

On June 27, Asshima had also pleaded guilty in the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court to charges under Section 233(1) of the Communication and Multimedia Act 1998.

She was fined RM13,000. She had initially claimed trial but changed her plea later.