KUALA LUMPUR: The holy month of Ramadan is a time for forgiveness, and singer-actress Linda Rafar’s change of heart shows how true this is.
The founder member of pop group Elite has sought forgiveness from all Netizens who “whacked” her on social media between December 2018 and January. And she forgives them, too.
She had previously resorted to legal action against the 100 Netizens, with the help of a law firm in Shah Alam.
The unnamed individuals had slammed her for allegedly humiliating a nurse who looked after her late mother in Shah Alam Hospital last year, and also criticised her family.
In an Instagram post yesterday, Linda, 41, said: “During my last press conference, I felt angry, betrayed, insulted and sad that my mum’s passing did not stop cyber bullies from attacking me.
“My heart was filled by rage. My lawyer sent notices to a hundred persons who defamed me but my heart did not come to a closure.
“Some of them direct messaged me and said sorry.
“I forgave them but still chose to fight the others to clear my reputation.
“In the holy month of Ramadan, I take this opportunity to say sorry if I’ve hurt any of you.
“I forgive every Netizen who has asked for my forgiveness and in return I’m seeking forgiveness from them, too.
“Nobody is supreme except God, and it is not wrong for us to forgive and forget with sincerity.
“God wants all the good and bad of humans to be recorded, and nobody will be spared. One day all of us will return to God,” said Linda.
Netizens gave Linda support and sympathy. They praised her for showing them the true spirit of Ramadan.
“That’s the way Kak Linda. Stay strong,” said Yanko.
“Love you sis. Blessed Ramadan,” said Zainita.
Last Jan 29, Linda filed a lawsuit against the Netizens, claiming that they “lobbed terrible insults against her family”.
Among others, the Netizens said that she “bullied the nurse, was nasty and arrogant, and that her family was too much and should be banned from hospitals”.
Linda, whose real name is Azlinda Rafar, demanded apologies from the individuals on the social media platforms which they used to attack her, failing which she would sue them for defamation.
She revealed that her mother Rasimah Abdul Rahman, 73, who died at the hospital on Jan 11 due to health complications, wanted her to “resolve the matter amicably” with the Netizens.
On Dec 31 last year, a non-governmental organisation the Delegation of Nurses issued a statement on social media which said that they had demanded an apology and compensation from Linda on behalf of the nurse.
They alleged that Linda had insulted the nursing profession and attacked nurses on social media.
Linda had criticised the nurse for not cooperating when she requested that her mother’s soiled bedsheet be replaced. Rasimah had spent a month in the hospital prior to her death.