Mazlan apologises to Anwar for defaming him

KUALA LUMPUR: A former Barisan Nasional candidate for Permatang Pauh Datuk Dr Mazlan Ismail has openly apologised to Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim for making defamatory accusations against the PKR president-elect in 2013.

Mazlan made the apology in open court yesterday after a consent judgment was recorded between him and Anwar over a defamation suit for implying that the PKR leader had bribed the judiciary and the Attorney General’s Chambers.

Apart from Mazlan, Anwar had also sued Sistem Televisyen Malaysia Bhd (TV3) and Utusan Melayu (M) Bhd which published Mazlan’s allegations.

Mazlan, who read out the apology at the witness’ stand in the High Court, said he referred to a press conference at his house and Buletin Utama news at TV3 on Aug 2, 2013, and also articles published in Utusan Malaysia the following day.

“In the press conference I had referred to a letter which claimed that Anwar had paid RM50mil to the law firm of Karpal Singh and Co to bribe the judiciary and the prose- cution since 2008.

“I hereby confirm that I conducted the press conference without making any verification and proper checks. I also confirm that I had spread the report to the media at the press conference without concrete reason,” he said.

TV3 and Utusan Melayu are also in the process of settling the legal matter but the consent judgment would only be read out on Oct 12.

In the lawsuit filed on Oct 15, 2015, Anwar said the words implied that he was unethical, unprofessional, dishonest, a liar and immoral.

Anwar said the words meant that he was a person who committed acts which were criminal in nature that could be prosecuted, negligent and not fit to hold a public position.