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Adnan Yaakob, Utusan settle defamation suit

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Pahang Menteri Besar Adnan Yaakob ends 3-year-old case after Utusan Malaysia agrees to publish statement ‘expressing its regret’ and give him exclusive interview.

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KUALA LUMPUR: Pahang Menteri Besar Adnan Yaakob finally settled a three-year-old defamation suit against Utusan Melayu (M) Bhd today.

Both parties recorded a consent judgment before High Court judge Justice Nik Hasmat Nik Mohamed today.

With the settlement, the publisher of Utusan Malaysia will issue a statement to “express its regret” to Adnan over a commentary written by Awang Selamat, which came out in the Sunday edition of the paper on Nov 9, 2014. Awang Selamat is a collective pseudonym that represents Utusan editors.

The statement will be published in the Bahasa Malaysia daily tomorrow, Aug 8.

“We want to take the opportunity to say that there had been no intention on the part of Utusan Melayu to hurt his (Adnan’s) feelings nor tarnish his reputation as Pahang menteri besar in any way.

“If the article had caused difficulties for the MB, we wish to express our regret,” the consent judgment read.

Besides that, Utusan have also agreed to arrange an exclusive interview with Adnan on Aug 14, where he will be given a chance to speak of his achievements over the past four terms as menteri besar of the biggest state in peninsular Malaysia.

The article will then be published in the daily as soon as Adnan gives his approval on the final write-up based on the interview.

No costs was ordered.

Speaking to reporters after recording the settlement before Justice Nik Hasmat, Adnan’s lawyer Americk Sidhu told reporters that his client was persuaded to accept the settlement after Utusan agreed to the use of the words “expressing their regret”.

“In a sense, it is a good settlement. Everyone goes back happy,” he said, adding that Adnan is now able to regain his dignity and integrity.

Last Friday, Adnan and Utusan were contemplating on whether to use the word “sorry” or “regret” as part of the settlement.

Adnan had sued Utusan in 2014, and claimed the paper had tarnished his reputation as a national leader and politician through an article bearing the headline “Hebat Sangatkah Adnan?” (Is Adnan that great?).

He claimed the article, published on Nov 9 that year, implied he had failed in carrying out his duties and overstayed his position as menteri besar.

Adnan said the article also implied that he had used his political position to abuse the media when it was critical of him.

The Court of Appeal had last March struck out Adnan’s suit on grounds that a public official could not sue the media.

That ruling reversed a High Court decision in July 2015 which found that Adnan had legal standing to sue in his personal capacity.

On Feb 13, a five-man Federal Court bench chaired by then Chief Judge of Malaya Justice Zulkefli Ahmad Makinudin set aside the Court of Appeal decision and ordered a trial so that Adnan could have his day in court.

Justice Zulkefli had said whether Adnan had brought the suit in his public or private capacity could only be determined after a trial.

Adnan’s lawsuit was then reverted to the High Court by the Federal Court on Feb 13.

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https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2015/07/20/utusan-files-to-strike-out-pahang-mbs-defamation-suit/

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