KUALA LUMPUR: Jasin MP 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 on Monday (April 20), 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 prayers during a Palestine solidarity week when they were in fact allowed to.
"We apologise to Fadhlina for 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.
Speaking to reporters after the proceedings, Fadhlina expressed relief that her good name had been restored.
"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," she said.
