MEDIA STATEMENT
This is to announce that the defamation suit initiated by Deputy Minister for Defence, Liew Chin Tong against the President of Jaringan Melayu Malaysia (JMM), Dato Haji Azwanddin bin Hamzah, was settled by way of Consent Judgment which was recorded in court today.
I acted on behalf of Liew while Sarah Abhishegam acted on behalf of Azwanddin.
Liew had sued Azwanddin for defamation in respect of a Facebook posting by the latter dated 30.10.2018 and an article authored by the latter titled, “Kementerian Pertahanan Kini Berada Dalam Tekanan Dan Ancaman” (hereafter referred to as ‘the said FB posting’ and ‘the said article’ respectively).
Azwanddin had falsely alleged in the said article, amongst others, that he was in possession of information which suggests that Liew was purportedly in the midst of obtaining secret and classified government information from the Ministry of Defence and is feared to expose matters involving defence policies, which is a threat to the country.
Azwanddin also falsely claimed in the said FB posting that Liew had on, one occasion, “berpakaian seragam komunis di hadapan tentera Melayu ini sikap kurang ajar”.
In the said settlement recorded in court today, Azwanddin confirmed that his allegations against Liew in the said FB posting and the said article were baseless and untrue and unequivocally apologised for making the said allegations.
Azwanddin’s apology as recorded in the said Consent Judgement is as follows:
“I, Azwanddin Bin Hamzah, President of Jaringan Melayu Malaysia (JMM) and the Advisor of Gagasan Tiga Malaysia (G3) refer to my Facebook posting dated 30th October 2018 and article written by me titled, “Kementerian Pertahanan Kini Berada Dalam Tekanan Dan Ancaman” dated 9th November 2018 which was published in the JMM website (hereafter referred to as ‘the said impugned statements’). The said impugned statements are attached herewith as Lampiran A.
I wish to state that the allegations made by me against Liew Chin Tong in the said impugned statements are without basis and untrue and hereby unequivocally apologise for the issuance of the same.” (‘the said apology’)
Azwanddin also agreed to pay Liew a sum of RM40,000.00 within 90 days from today and publish the said apology in various media, including Utusan Online and Malaysiakini within 14 days from today.
Needless to say, Azwanddin is also prohibited from repeating his allegations against Liew in the said FB posting and the said article and may be subject to contempt proceedings in the event he breaches any of the terms of the said Consent Judgment.
Dated this 28th August, 2019.
RAMKARPAL SINGH
MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT
BUKIT GELUGOR
CHAIRMAN NATIONAL LEGAL BUREAU
DEMOCRATIC ACTION PARTY