Perak PAS man apologises to Anwar in defamation suit

The defamation suit filed by 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 filed the suit against Razman over a speech allegedly linking the prime minister, who is also the Pakatan Harapan chairman, with the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) culture.

Razman, reading out his statement of apology before judicial commissioner Noor Ruwena Md Nurdin, said his speech had offended and slandered Anwar.

"The speech had morally tarnished and affected the good reputation of Yang Amat Berhomat (Anwar) as well as caused him embarrassment and distress.

"I take this opportunity to retract all the slander and accusations thrown at Yang Amat Berhomat 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 agreed on by both parties. Anwar was represented by lawyers SN Nair, Jaden Phoon Wai Ken and Wong Guo Jin, while lawyer Naran Singh represented Razman.

Nair, when contacted by Bernama, confirmed the matter, adding that his client had accepted the apology.

Anwar filed the suit on Dec 5 last year, claiming that on Nov 6, the defendant had made a speech while campaigning for the 15th general election at the Tebuk Pancur night market.

He claimed the speech was broadcast live on the defendant’s Facebook under the user name "Haji Razman Zakaria" and viewed over 94,400 times with 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 Nov 6 in both Malay and English in a news portal.

The Tambun MP claimed that the statements and article meant that he was a liar, practised and supported communist ideology, and encouraged same-sex marriage.

Anwar also claimed that the statements were made to ruin his reputation and that the allegations 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 name by inciting the public and creating hatred towards him and the party during the GE15 campaign period.

He sought 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 article in addition to costs, interest and other relief deemed fit by the court.