KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 21 — PKR MP Nurul Izzah Anwar apologised today to former political rival Datuk Raja Nong Chik Zainal Abidin over “erroneous” claims made prior to the 13th general election to settle the former minister’s defamation suit against her.
Following her apology tendered at the High Court here, Nong Chik withdrew his libel suit against her, along with those against two other respondents — the owner of news portal Malaysiakini and then reporter, Lu Wei Hoong.
In her apology, Nurul Izzah said she has since discovered that there was an “error” in her May 4, 2013 press statement titled “Datuk Raja Nong Chik Zainal Abidin’s involvement in the Transfer of 12 acres of Bukit Kiara land from Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur (DBKL) to A Nominee Company for Onward Sale to a Major Property Development Company for Close to 475 million”.
She said the error had affected Nong Chik’s reputation as a “politician, qualified accountant, businessman and the Federal Territories and Urban Well-being Minister” and his family’s reputation.
“I regret that statement. I promise not to repeat my statements above and any statements related to the publishing of my statement above,” the Lembah Pantai MP said in the apology, that was made available to the media.
The apology was part of a consensual judgment to settle the lawsuit.
In the consensual judgment recorded before High Court judge Datuk Nik Hasmat Nik Mohamad Jawi, Malaysiakini’s owner Mkini Dotcom Sdn Bhd is also required to publish Nurul Izzah’s full apology on the portal within a week’s time.
There was no order as to costs, while the suit was fully settled with no liberty to file afresh.
During Election 2013, PKR vice-president Nurul Izzah emerged the victor in a tight battle with Umno’s Nong Chik for the Lembah Pantai seat.
