Mustapa’s suit settled after Husam expresses regret
KUALA LUMPUR: International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed’s lawsuit against PAS vice president Datuk Husam Musa was settled yesterday after the latter issued a statement of regret.
Mustapa sued the PAS leader on April 22, 2013 for allegedly slandering him in regard to Felda Global Ventures Holdings Berhad shares, at a political forum in Kelantan on March 23, 2013.
In court yesterday before justice Datuk Nor Bee Ariffin, Husam read out a statement to express his regret over an article,’ Lahad Datu: Menteri Sepatutnya Letak Jawatan’, published by Harakahdaily on March 24, 2013.
He said he had been misquoted and had never levelled accusations at Mustapa who is also Kelantan Umno liaison chief, as implied in the article.
Meanwhile, Mustapa’s lawyer, Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah said his client was satisfied with the statement and would withdraw the lawsuit without costs.
The court then struck out the suit without any order of costs.
On Dec 8, 2015, a similar lawsuit filed by Mustapa, who is also Jeli member of parliament, was settled amicably after the defendants apologised to him in open court.
PAS, former PAS secretarygeneral Datuk Mustafa Ali, Harakahdaily chief editor Zulkifli Sulong and the newspaper’s online editor Azmi Yusof tendered the apology in court through their counsel Sharifah Nur Asmaa’ Syed Azman.
Meanwhile, Husam was seen shaking hands with Mustapa outside the court.
Husam was represented in the case which was to have resumed hearing yesterday, by counsel Mohamad Fitri Khalis Ahmad and Ahmad Termizi Abdullah. - Bernama