KUALA LUMPUR, 16 June 2009: Kelantan state executive councillor Datuk Husam Musa will withdraw his RM6 million defamation suit against the Bukit Bunga assemblyperson Mohd Adhan Kecik and Paloh assemblyperson Datuk Nozula Mat Diah.
His counsel, Ahmad Shabrimi Mohd Sidek, told the media today that Husam — the former PAS vice-president — intended to withdraw the suit following the public apology from the two Barisan Nasional assemblypersons early this month.
“We expect the case will be settled. The withdrawal of the suit will be made before the judge on a date to be fixed later.
“Meanwhile, we are still in negotiation and will get further instruction from the plaintiff as to whether to withdraw the suit against the third defendant, the New Straits Times Press (M) Berhad,” he said after the case was called up for management before Deputy High Court Registrar Hilmiah Yusof in chambers here.
On 31 Jan 2008, Husam filed the suit at the High Court here against Mohd Adhan, Nozula and the NSTP after the two assemblypersons alleged that Husam was involved in misappropriation and criminal breach of trust in the state’s administration and urged the Anti-Corruption Agency (now Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission) to investigate.
The alleged defamatory statements were published in the New Straits Times and Berita Harian on 28 Nov 2007.
Husam claimed that Nozula and Mohd Adhan, at the press conference, had made allegations that he had abused his power and was responsible for the mismanagement of Air Kelantan Sdn Bhd.
He claimed that the statements and articles were false, defamatory and without basis and had tarnished his reputation as a politician and a party leader who fought for Islamic rights.
The court fixed 4 Sept for case management, said Ahmad Shabrimi. — Bernama
