The Star daily has apologised over a fact box it published on Nov 12, listing deceased religious leader Ibrahim Libya as a follower of deviant sect Tuhan Haron.

The apology on page 40 of the newspaper today was stated as an editor's note in the 'Views' page, under a letter by Federal Territory PAS Youth chief Khairil Nizam Khirudin protesting the matter.

"To the extent the reference has caused distress to any member of his family or colleagues, The Star offers its apologies," it read.

The apology comes after PAS Youth threatened legal action against the paper if it did not retract the offending article and apologise by Nov 15.

NONEYesterday, Khairil Nizam led a delegation to meet with The Star's managing editor June HL Wong to demand an apology and to hand over books regarding the Memali incident to educate the daily.

In his letter published by The Star, Khairul Nizam pointed out that the public are "shielded from the truth" about the Memali incident.

For example, he said, the Alor Setar High Court had decided that the government should pay compensation to the kin of those who died in the incident.

Citing the 1989 Hillborough incident in England where 96 Liverpool fans were trampled to death, he said that sometimes it takes time for the truth to surface, but when it does healing can happen.

"To the kin and people of Memali who were denied truth and justice till today, this is PAS' commitment to all of you - that you'll never walk alone."

NONEIbrahim Libya - or his real name Ibrahim Mahmud - was among 14 civilians and four police personnel who died in the harrowing clash in Kampung Memali near Baling, Kedah in 1985.

159 people, including women and children were arrested while 36 of them were placed under the Internal Security Act from January to June 1986.

Police had raided the village to arrest Ibrahim under the ISA for allegedly creating disharmony, and for harbouring fugitives, but villagers defended the highly-revered and PAS-linked religious leader.

The clash created a deep rift between within Malays who supported PAS and Umno and continues to be used to paint PAS as extremists.

However, no fatwa had been issued to declare Ibrahim and his followers as deviant.