KUALA LUMPUR: Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman (pic) has apologised to a former adviser of ex-premier Datuk Seri Najib Razak in full settlement of a defamation suit filed by the latter against him.
The former youth and sports minister made the apology to businessman Datuk Habibul Rahman Kadir Shah in the Sessions court here on Thursday (Oct 3).
The apology is part of the consent judgment recorded in court.
Habibul Rahman had sued the Muar Member of Parliament over remarks the latter made at a press conference at the Seri Pacific Hotel in Kuala Lumpur on Oct 2, 2017, when he was part of Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia.
"At the press conference, I made reference to threats which were made against myself and my family leading up to the 14th General Election. I maintain that these threats did happen to me and my family. However, upon receiving further information later on, I am now made aware that at the time of making those statements, I was misled by several parties who led me to believe that what I was experiencing during that period of time was due to Habibul Rahman," Syed Saddiq said.
"I regret and deeply apologise for my defamatory statements which have caused various problems and difficulties for Habibul Rahman. I acknowledge that my statements have tarnished his reputation and soiled the distinguished image of a person who served as an advisor to the 6th Prime Minister of Malaysia; held multiple Directorships in Government-Linked Companies (GLC); founded HKS Consultants Sdn Bhd; excelled as a Corporate Strategist, and contributed as a lecturer," he said in a statement read before Sessions judge Norakhmar Mohd Sani.
"I also acknowledge that my defamatory words concerning Habibul Rahman arose from misleading information conveyed to me which I know now to be false and untrue.
"I extend my heartfelt and unconditional apology to Habibul Rahman, with the hope that this apology will help restore his good name and mend the professional and personal relationship between us.
"I also undertake not to repeat those slanderous and offensive statements, or any similar offensive words to those words directed against Habibul Rahman in the future," he added.
In the proceedings today, Habibul Rahman was represented by Datuk Seri Dr Jahaberdeen Yunoos and Nur Azreen Mohd Zakir while Lim Wei Jiet appeared for Syed Saddiq.
