Zuraida, Jamal settle libel suit out of court

KUALA LUMPUR: Ampang MP Zuraida Kamaruddin’s defamation suit against Sungai Besar Umno division leader, Datuk Seri Jamal Md Yunos, was settled yesterday after a consent judgment was recorded by the High Court.

Jamal, who read out a statement in open court, said he spoke the words in anger and therefore regretted his action.

“I uttered the words against the plaintiff (Zuraida) in anger, and therefore I regret those words. I would like to withdraw the words which I said in a tense situation at the Ampang Point Mall to Zuraida, in relation to a publication dated Nov 13, 2016,” he said.

He said he promised not to repeat the statement to Zuraida about the incident on Nov 13, 2016.

According to the consent judgment, Jamal is to pay an amount agreed to by both parties. However, this was not read out in open court. After Jamal read his statement, judge S. Nantha Balan recorded a consent judgment. The case had been fixed for hearing on Nov 15 but it is now vacated.

Zuraida had filed the suit on Nov 17 last year over Jamal’s remark during an incident which left him bleeding from the nose.

In a statement of claim, Zuraida said Jamal had allegedly told the public and media members on Nov 13, 2016 that Zuraida’s boy had hit him.

She claimed that Jamal knew his defamatory statements would be published through electronic and print media and online portals.

Zuraida claimed that the words had affected her reputation as an MP. She sought general damages, aggravated damages, interest and costs and an injunction to prevent Jamal from further uttering the defamatory statements.