Leading Malay daily Utusan Malaysia has apologised to opposition leader Karpal Singh for publishing an article which portrayed the DAP national chairperson as anti-Islam.

utusan malaysia apologize to karpal singh notice 260808 In a small box titled ' Ralat ' (correction) on its front-page, the Umno-linked newspaper said: "The report on page two U tusan Malaysia yesterday ' DAP diingat jangan bakar perasaan Melayu ' (which stated) that DAP chairperson Karpal Singh rejects Islam as the official religion of the country is wrong."

" Utusan Malaysia withdraws (the statement) and apologises for the mistake," it added.

However, Karpal lodged a police report against the daily this evening.

Bernama quoted the police as saying that the case is being investigated under Section 500 of the Penal Code for slander which carries a two-year jail term or fine or both, upon conviction.

Yesterday, the veteran politician issued the daily with an ultimatum of either publicly apologising to him on its front-page or face legal action.

"Legal proceedings will definitely be initiated against the paper if it refuses to retract its misleading story on me and offer a public apology," he added.

Suffered serious loss

In its report, Utusan Malaysia reported that Karpal had rejected Islam as the country’s official religion when officiating the 15th DAP national congress over the weekend.

karpal singh altantuya murder case pc 240608 01 The article also quoted Deputy Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak blasting Karpal for questioning the official position of Islam and warned him not to stir the sentiments of Malays.

The opposition leader, a seven-term member of Parliament, slammed the article as libelous, untrue, baseless and malicious. He vehemently denied uttering such words.

As a result of the article, Karpal said, he had been subjected to public odium, contempt, ridicule, and consequently suffered serious loss and damages.

"In view of this highly defamatory and malicious nature of such words, we are instructing Utusan Malaysia to retract the said words complained of and apologise openly to me in tomorrow's (today’s) edition,” he added.