Business adviser Shamsubahrin Ismail apologised to National Feedlot Corporation Sdn Bhd (NFC) chairperson Mohd Salleh Ismail in the High Court in Kuala Lumpur today.

Shamsubahrin tendered his apology before Judicial Commissioner Mohd Zaki Abdul Wahab.

"As a sign of goodwill, I, Shamsubahrin, apologise for the posting on my Facebook page on Salleh, his wife and three children and NFC," Shamsubahrin announced in open court.

"As a sign of goodwill and to set aside the differences we once had, I apologise and regret any imputations upon the character and reputation of Salleh and for any embarassment, distress and inconvenience that may have been caused to him, as a result of the postings in my Facebook page as referred to in the statement of claim.

“I undertake not to repeat the statement or similar statements concerning Salleh, his wife his three children, NFC Sdn Bhd and National Meat and Livestock Food Company Sdn Bhd," Shamsubahrin said.

Salleh said he accepted the apology and would like to apologise to him. Later in the day, Salleh withdrew his police report against Shamsubahrin ( photo ).

When Zaki asked whether both of them wanted to shake hands, Shamsubahrin walked over to Salleh and shook his hand and hugged him in open court.

In his ruling, Zaki noted the apology and ordered that the suit be struck out. No order was made on costs.

Salleh was represented by lawyers Al Firdaus Shahrul Naing and Syed Ismat Syed Mohamad while Leela Jesuthasan and Zarina Ismail appeared for Shamsubahrin.

No witness called

Salleh had on July 3, 2015, filed a suit against Shamsubahrin, who was the company’s former consultant, over Shamsubahrin’s Facebook postings that allegedly defamed him.

Salleh in his statement of claim said Shamsubahrin had uploaded six statements containing defamatory words against him (Salleh) on a Facebook account belonging to Shamsubahrin Ismail Tom between May 19 last year and June 23 this year, which could be accessed by members of the public.

Yesterday, Salleh was acquitted by the Sessions Court on criminal breach of trust charges involved RM49.7 million, without a single witness being called, after the prosecution withdrew his charges.

Outside the court, Shamsubahrin was asked whether Salleh's withdrawal of the police report would mean that he would be acquitted of cheating. To this, Zarina said that is another matter before the Court of Appeal.

Al Firdaus said all the allegations against his client are totally untrue and he is innocent.

He said what Pandan MP Rafizi Ramli had said yesterday was inaccurate.

“There was no retrospective approval. The ratification by the board of directors and shareholders came before my client was charged. It took place on Dec 23, 2010, at the third annual general meeting.

“The allegation saying this was done after he was charged is totally untrue. That is all I can say,” Al Firdaus added.

In the wake of Salleh's acquittal, Rafizi had yesterday alleged that NFC Sdn Bhd made a retrospective approval at its AGM to approve the purchase of two units of luxury condominium six years ago.

This had allowed Salleh to be acquitted, said Rafizi, who is Pandan MP and PKR vice-president as well as its secretary-general.