KUALA LUMPUR – Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek today secured a settlement in her defamation suit after three defendants issued an open apology in the Sessions Court and agreed to pay RM15,000 in costs.
The apology was read in open court following a consent judgment recorded between the parties, bringing the case to a close.
Jasin MP Zulkifli Ismail, Mazlan Jusoh and Galeri Media Serbanika Sdn. Bhd. admitted that remarks made during a “Solidarity for Palestine” programme on Nov 5, 2023, and later republished by Harakah.
This later had triggered public misunderstanding and affected Fadhlina’s reputation.
They also acknowledged that schools were allowed to recite qunut nazilah and perform takbir during the Palestine Solidarity Week.
In the statement, the defendants apologised to Fadhlina and agreed to withdraw the statements unconditionally.
They further gave an undertaking not to repeat or republish the claims in any form, including on social media and other platforms, and to take steps to remove the content.
The suit, filed in 2023, was resolved without trial after both sides agreed to end the dispute through settlement.
Fadhlina said the RM15,000 received will be channelled towards Palestine Solidarity Week programmes in Jasin, Melaka.
Both sides also recorded appreciation to the court and counsel involved, expressing hope the matter would rest there. -MalayaDailyToday
