KUALA LUMPUR: Muar member of parliament Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman today apologised to Habibul Rahman Kadir Shah, the former aide to former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, for defaming him with slanderous remarks seven years ago.
Syed Saddiq, 31, also former youth and sports minister, on the witness stand read a statement of apology to Habibul Rahman, 68, as plaintiff, before Sessions Court judge Norakhmar Mohd Sani.
In his statement, Syed Saddiq said he sincerely apologised publicly and unconditionally to Habibul Rahman for having made defamatory and offensive statements against him during a press conference at the Seri Pacific Hotel on Oct 2, 2017.
Syed Saddiq said he had, at the press conference, referred to threats against him and his family leading up to the 14th General Election.
"I maintain that these threats did happen to me and my family. However, upon receiving further information later, I was made aware that when making those statements, I was misled by several parties who made me believe that what I was experiencing during that time was due to Habibul Rahman.
"I regret and deeply apologise for my defamatory statements which have caused various problems and difficulties for Habibul Rahman.
"I acknowledge that my statements have tarnished his reputation and soiled the distinguished image of a person who served as an advisor to the sixth prime minister of Malaysia, held multiple directorships in government-linked companies, founded HKS Consultants Sdn Bhd, excelled as a corporate strategist and contributed as a lecturer.
"I also acknowledge that my defamatory words concerning Habibul Rahman arose from misleading information conveyed to me which I know now to be false and untrue.
"I extend my heartfelt and unconditional apology to Habibul Rahman, with the hope that this apology will help restore his good name and mend the professional and personal relationship between us," he said.
Syed Saddiq also said he would not repeat those slanderous and offensive statements or any similar offensive words against Habibul Rahman in the future.
Habibul Rahman, who stood in front of Syed Saddiq, told the court he accepted the latter's apology.
They both then shook hands.
Norakhmar recorded the consent judgment and the terms of the settlement.
She also vacated tomorrow's trial.
After proceedings, Habibul Rahman, represented by lawyer Datuk Seri Jahaberdeen Yunoos, thanked God that truth prevailed.
"The public must know that all allegations and accusations made against me in 2017 were lies," he said.
On why it took him several years to act against Syed Saddiq, Habibul Rahman said he had wanted to wait for an opportune time.
Syed Saddiq said it took several sessions to reach an agreement of apology from him and thanked Habibul Rahman for agreeing to his apology.
"Above and beyond the statement, it is important to move forward. But while I move forward, it is also important to acknowledge that when a mistake is made, it must be admitted and corrected," he said.
Lawyer Lim Wei Jiet stood for Syed Saddiq.
In 2021, Habibul Rahman took legal action against Syed Saddiq following the latter's refusal to apologise for the slanderous remarks, which he described as malicious and defamatory.
He said Syed Saddiq had, through solicitors Messrs AmerBon Advocates, intimated his refusal to meet the demands set out in a letter sent to him on Sept 17, 2021.
Habibul Rahman had issued a letter of demand dated Sept 17, through law firm Jahaberdeen & Co. demanding that Syed Saddiq issue a public apology within nine days in a newspaper of preference.