KUALA LUMPUR: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has decided not to proceed with the defamation suit filed against Malaysiakini.

In a posting on Facebook, he said he had filed a lawsuit on March 24, 2021, following 22 articles published on the portal that were deemed selective and defamatory about the criminal proceedings of his case at the Kuala Lumpur High Court.

"However, as the case was disposed of by the criminal High Court on Sept 4, 2023, I was advised by my counsel against proceeding with the lawsuit to respect the court's decision and avoid prejudicing the relevant parties.

"After deliberating my lawyers' advice and the current situation, I decided not to pursue the matter even though the defendants' actions have tarnished my reputation and left negative sentiments against me," he said.

He said he hoped the publication of selective and defamatory reports, as published previously, would not recur.

He urged the media and its stakeholders to continue to adopt high standards of ethics and principles of journalism in every report.

"Inaccurate, selective, and biased reports will definitely affect people's confidence in responsible journalism and tarnish integrity, especially when it involves the reputation and character of an individual or institution.

"I wish to thank the court and its officials involved throughout the proceedings, who carried out their duties diligently in upholding justice and people's equity."

On Sept 4, the High Court granted Ahmad Zahid a discharge not amounting to acquittal (DNAA) of 12 criminal breach of trust charges, eight counts of bribery, and 27 for money laundering, involving scores of millions of ringgit belonging to Yayasan Akal Budi.

https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2024/07/1078228/zahid-drops-defamation-suit-against-malaysiakini