PKR vice-president Rafizi Ramli has apologised to former minister in the Prime Minister 's Department, Abdul Rahman Dahlan, for his statement last year which claimed that the Expo Negaraku event had been organised by Rahman's relative.

Rafizi's statement of apology and expression of regret was read out by his lawyer Abdul Halim Abdul Karim in open court before High Court judge Mohd Zaki Abdul Wahab in Kuala Lumpur today.

Rafizi claimed he obtained information from a journalist that a contract for organising the Expo Negaraku has been given to PICO Integrated Exhibit Sdn Bhd that was purportedly owned by Rahman's relative, Raslan Dahlan.

In the statement, Rafizi claimed he obtained the information from a journalist but did not verify it. He agreed that the information was wrong and hence, was making the apology.

Rafizi said he realised he had made a mistake and recognised that Rahman is not related to Raslan, the PICO Integrated chief executive officer.

"I admit I only depended on the information of the journalist and I did not check Raslan's identity.

"I admit my mistake and sincerely apologise to Rahman for my actions. I express regret and state that I have no intention to cause Rahman shame and promise not to repeat my actions," he said in the statement read out by his lawyer.

After the statement was read, Justice Zaki then recorded the settlement following Rahman's consent and noted that Rafizi has agreed to pay RM20,000 in costs.

Expo Negaraku was an event organised by the Economic Planning Unit which Rahman had helmed.

Rahman, who is also Umno Supreme Council member had sued Rafizi over the latter’s claims about the Expo Negaraku contract.

Rafizi alleged that Rahman – who headed the EPU at the time – awarded the RM37 million project to a “brother”, due to the fact that the company’s CEO’s name is similar to Rahman’s.

However, Rahman pointed out that the contractor was not his relative, prompting an open apology from Rafizi to contractor.

The former minister filed the suit on Jan 30, seeking an injunction from the court against Rafizi against repeating the allegations, as well as a published apology.

He is also seeking general, aggravated and exemplary damages, besides costs.