GEORGE TOWN (Sept 27): Former Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng’s defamation suit against Utusan Malaysia (M) Bhd was settled today after the Feature Editor of the newspaper company,  Zulkifli Jalil, apologised to him over the 2015 publication of the alleged defamatory article.

Zulkifli, in his statement of apology, expressed regret with the publication of the article and withdrew the contents in the said article, with the title “Pengundi Atas Pagar Jadi Penentu?” which was published by the newspaper on April 10, 2015.

"Utusan Malaysia sincerely apologise to Yang Amat Berhormat (YAB) Lim Guan Eng for the mistake which was unintentional, the discomfort and embarrassment that had caused him as a result of the publication of the article.

"Utusan Malaysia also promised not to publish or cause to publish the alleged defamatory words again,”he said when reading the statement in an open court before High Court judge Datuk Rosilah Yop.

Also present was lawyer Datuk M Reza Hassan, representing Utusan and Zulkifli, and Lim, who was accompanied by his lawyer, Datuk N. Mureli.

Lim then accepted the apology and Mureli requested the court to make an order as to cost and damages.

The court fixed Oct 18 Mureli to submit a written submission on the quantum of general damages and costs, which the court will decide on Nov 23.

Lim filed the suit against Utusan and Zulkilfi as the first and second defendants over the article published on April 10, 2015 alleging that Penang’s wakaf land was under the purview and control of him.

Met outside the courtroom, Lim said the newspaper’s apology and withdrawal of the article were proof that he had never interfered in Islamic affairs in the State when he was Chief Minister.