Negri Sembilan PKR Youth chief Nazree Yunus apologised to Selangor Menteri Besar Abdul Khalid Ibrahim in court today for an accusation he made four years ago that Khalid was involved in corruption and abuse of power.

Nazree read out his statement of apology in the High Court in Shah Alam today as a settlement of the defamation suit brought against him by Khalid.

NONE "I admit that the two media statements (made in 2009) have tarnished his good name, reputation, image and integrity as Selangor menteri besar.

"I admit I am very regretful about making the media statements which are untrue against Khalid Ibrahim. I also promise that I will not repeat defamatory remarks against the plaintiff in the future.

"As such, I humbly apologise to him and retract all statements made by me," Nazree ( right ) said.

Khalid was present when the statement was read out.

Nazree made two defamatory statements against Khalid in January and February 2009 when he was the chairperson of NGO Integrity and Anti-Corruption Movement (Gerak), which was formed by the then PKR leader Ezam Mohd Noor, who later joined Umno.

A hot issue at that time

The statements accused Khalid of abusing RM110,400 in state funds to sponsor 46 cattle for slaughter, with the meat distributed to Bandar Tun Razak residents in Kuala Lumpur in conjunction with the sacrifice for Hari Raya Haji.

The issue became a hot topic at the time, particularly among Umno leaders in the Selangor state opposition, but Khalid, who is also Bandar Tun Razak MP, has never been charged over the issue.

Nazree also lodged a report with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission on his allegation.

He quit Gerak a year later and joined PKR, saying that PKR's struggle was in line with his principles in wanting to stamp out corruption and to work towards rebuilding integrity in the country.

Nazree was later appointed Negri Sembilan PKR Youth chief and was recently charged under the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012 for organising the Blackout 505 rally in Seremban to protest against electoral fraud.