KUALA LUMPUR – The defamation suit filed by Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim against Perak PAS commissioner Razman Zakaria was resolved amicably today, with the latter making a public apology to the prime minister in the Taiping High Court.
Anwar had filed the suit against Razman over a speech that allegedly linked the prime minister, who is also Pakatan Harapan (PH) chairman, with lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) culture.
Razman, in reading out his statement of apology before judicial commissioner Noor Ruwena Md Nurdin, said his speech had offended and slandered Anwar.
“The (content) speech has morally tarnished and affected the good reputation of Yang Amat Berhormat (Anwar) as well as causing him embarrassment and distress.
“I take this opportunity to retract all the slander and accusations thrown at (Anwar) and express my deepest regret and apology. I promise not to repeat the words in any form in the future,” he said.
The court then recorded the settlements that were agreed by both parties. Anwar was represented by lawyers Datuk S.N. Nair, Jaden Phoon Wai Ken, and Wong Guo Jin, while lawyer Datuk Naran Singh represented Razman.
Nair, when contacted, confirmed the matter and said that his client accepted the apology.
Anwar filed the suit on December 5 last year, claiming that on November 6 the defendant had made a speech while campaigning in the 15th general election at the Tebuk Pancur night market.
Anwar claimed the speech was broadcast live on the defendant’s Facebook under the user name “Haji Razman Zakaria” and was viewed over 94,400 times, as well as receiving over 5,100 reactions, 429 shares, and over 2,600 comments.
The Facebook video was then published in an article, with the title “Razman dakwa Anwar bawa agenda LGBT, bimbang kerjasama PH-BN” dated November 6 in Malay and English in a news portal.
The Tambun MP claimed that the defamatory statements and published article brought the meaning that he was a liar, practised and supported communist ideology, and encouraged same-gender marriage.
Anwar also claimed that the defamatory statements were made to ruin his reputation and that the allegations stated in the article were untrue as he had always championed Islamic values and a wider reformation agenda for administration.
He said the speech was intended to tarnish his good name by inciting the public and creating hatred towards him and the party during the general election campaigning period.
He was seeking general, compensatory, aggravated, and exemplary damages – as well as an injunction to stop the defendant or his agents from repeating or causing the publication of the slanderous article – in addition to claiming costs, interest, and other relief deemed fit by the court. – Bernama, February 9, 2023
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