Jamal Yunos retracts statement against Zuraida, formally apologised in court for alleging that she and her supporters had punched him, and the two settle defamation case.
A defamation suit filed by Ampang PKR MP Zuraida Kamaruddin against Umno’s Datuk Seri Jamal Md Yunos for associating her with his bloodied nose incident has been resolved.
The matter was settled after the Red Shirts leader retracted his remark against Zuraida, made at Ampang Point Mall in November last year.
He read out the consent judgment in court before Justice S Nantha Balan yesterday after both parties reached a settlement during mediation.
“I would like to retract the words uttered during a tense situation against YB Zuraida Kamaruddin at Ampang Point Mall over the publication on Nov 13, last year as stated in the third paragraph of the statement of claim dated Nov 17.
“I promise not to repeat the allegation in relation to the November 13, 2016, incident ever again,” Jamal said.
Justice Nantha Balan recorded the consent judgement and thanked all parties for being able to settle the suit via mediation without a full trial.
Jamal will pay the Zuraida an undisclosed sum of money as compensation as part of the settlement.
In her statement of claim, Zuraida alleged that the Sungai Besar Umno division chief had falsely and maliciously uttered and published the defamatory words to the media and the public on Nov 13.
The plaintiff said that Jamal knew the words would be widely published and spread through online news portals, print and electronic media.
The words, she said, were meant that she had directed her party members or her friends to commit a crime resulting in the injuries; that she was violent or a person who was prepared to commit or provoke the act of physical violence; that she was not fit to become an MP and that she was a criminal.
She had sought aggravated and general damages; an injunction to refrain Jamal or his agents from further publishing the defamatory words orally or via print media or the Internet as well as costs.
On Nov 13, Jamal’s men confronted Zuraida and her supporters at the Ampang Point Mall while the latter was campaigning for the Bersih 5 rally.
A scuffle ensued when police tried to prevent Jamal and his supporters from following Zuraida.
Jamal was left with a bloody nose.
He had told reporters that a policeman punched him, but later alleged that he was assaulted by Zuraida’s supporters.