GEORGE TOWN: Utusan Melayu (Malaysia) Bhd and its senior news editor Zulkifli Jalil apologised to Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng at the High Court here today for false reporting and publishing a defamatory article on Muslim wakaf land two years ago.
The article – Pengundi Atas Pagar Jadi Penentu, dated April 10, 2015 – had among others claimed that Lim, who was Penang Chief Minister at the time, had full powers over wakaf land and could decide on how they would be developed, as opposed to the land being held by the state Islamic Council as it was when Barisan Nasional was in power in the state.
Zulkifli, who read out an apology in open court today, said: “Utusan Malaysia has identified and admitted to factual mistakes in the said article, which was published on page 9, in the April 10, 2015 issue. Utusan Malaysia and I, as the writer, regret that the said article had caused discomfort on the part of the plaintiff, and we want to take this opportunity to right the wrong.
“As such, Utusan Malaysia retracts the defamatory statements in the said article. Utusan Malaysia and I also sincerely apologise to Lim for the mistakes as well as the hardship and disgrace caused to him.”
The newspaper must also publish the apology to Lim.
Lim then told judge Datuk Rosilah Yop that he accepted the apology.
The mea culpa is part of a consent judgment in Lim’s defamation suit against Utusan Malaysia and Zulkifli.
Rosilah fixed Oct 18 for Lim’s counsel, Datuk N. Mureli, to make a written submission on the quantum of general damages and costs, which the court will decide on Nov 23.
Speaking to newsmen after the proceedings, Lim said the apology and withdrawal of the article were proof that the allegations were lies.
“All this time, the management and development of wakaf land has been under the Penang state Islamic Religious Council (MAINPP) and I have never interfered in Islamic affairs.
“It is proven in court today that I never interfered in Islamic affairs in the state then,” he said.
Lim said he would also consider bringing legal action against those who launch similar attacks against him in future, noting that he was a “soft target.”