Sanusi apologises to Mahfuz over defamatory statement

Kedah Menteri Besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor has apologised to former Pokok Sena MP Mahfuz Omar for defaming the latter, four years ago.

The apology was made via Sanusi’s (above, right) personal Facebook page, the same platform used to make the defamatory statement.

“On July 30, 2019, I made a Facebook post about an alleged transfer of a Sports Toto outlet from Alor Setar to Pokok Sena.

“I stated that Amanah and Pakatan Harapan leaders, who were in power then, were insensitive for transferring the outlet to a Muslim-majority area and that the locals had voiced the concerns to me, four months after approval was given by the Finance Ministry.

“Based on a defamation suit filed by Mahfuz (above) against me over the Facebook posting, the (Kuala Lumpur) High Court had on Nov 8, 2021, and the Court of Appeal, on April 3, 2023, ruled that my post was defamatory towards Mahfuz, and ordered me to apologise to him.

“Therefore, I would like to apologise to Mahfuz over the statement made in my Facebook posting,” said the PAS lawmaker.

The High Court had initially awarded RM50,000 in damages to Mahfuz, who is Amanah vice-president.

The appellate court, however, later upped the amount to RM120,000 and also ordered Sanusi to pay RM10,000 in costs to Mahfuz.

Mahfuz also said previously that he was considering filing a bankruptcy notice against Sanusi after the latter failed to pay up the owed amount past the due date given by the court.

In a statement after the apology, Mahfuz said Sanusi’s apology meant the latter had conceded fault, and that the former had nothing to do with the alleged Sports Toto transfer.

“I hope Sanusi’s remorse would last and not become resentment,” he said.

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