FORMER Klang MP Charles Santiago today apologised to Islamic preacher Zakir Naik over a statement linked to the defunct militant group Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).

Malaysiakini reported that Santiago made the apology after the Kuala Lumpur High Court found he had defamed the plaintiff. 

Judge Akhtar Tahir ruled that the defendant’s LTTE statement, which was carried by the online news portal Free Malaysia Today under the title “Criticism of Zakir Naik may have led to LTTE arrest, says MP”, was defamatory.

He said Santiago did not check his facts before making the remark.

“The court finds that although the remarks were an expression of an opinion by the defendant, they were speculative in nature and have not been verified in any manner,” the judge said.

Akhtar, however, ruled that Zakir was only entitled to an apology from Santiago and not damages as the LTTE remark did not tarnish the image and reputation of the plaintiff.

“The (LTTE) remarks have in fact enhanced the reputation of the plaintiff as being someone who is influential in Malaysia,” he said.

Akhtar then asked Santiago to apologise to Zakir, who was also present. 

After Santiago’s apology, Akhtar asked Zakir if he accepted it.

Zakir said yes, he did. 

The judge also ruled that each party had to bear their own legal costs.

In 2019, Santiago made a statement linking Zakir to the arrests of 12 individuals over alleged LTTE links.

On another matter, the court found that Santiago had not defamed Zakir in relation to the former’s other press statement. 

The statement was on Zakir’s Kelantan ceramah in August 2019, entitled “The Misconception of Islam Among Non-Muslims”.

The judge found that Zakir’s statements could “cause a threat to multiracial Malaysia, stir religious sentiments and cause tensions amongst us”.

He also found that the remarks made by Zakir in Kelantan against the Indians and Chinese could “cause a threat to multiracial Malaysia”.

Counsel Akberdin Abdul Kader represented Zakir, while lawyer SN Fam appeared for Santiago. – May 22, 2023.