Kuala lumpur: The 2023 defamation suit filed by Datuk Fahmi Fadzil against Muhammad Azri Wan Deris, popularly known as 'Papagomo', concerning allegations that the Communications Minister delivered a political speech at a mosque in Rawang, Selangor, has been settled in the High Court today.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Fahmi's lawyer, Asheeq Ali Sethi Alivi, announced during a press conference that the case had been resolved amicably. He stated that a joint statement confirmed Fahmi's speech at Masjid Nurul Yaqin, Kuang, Rawang, Selangor, on July 30, 2023, was neither a political campaign nor politically motivated. The misunderstanding that led to the allegations has been clarified, and both parties have agreed to refrain from making any further statements beyond the joint statement.

In contrast, Asheeq mentioned that the defamation suit against independent preacher Ahmad Dusuki Abd Rani is scheduled to proceed to trial tomorrow, as the parties involved have not reached a settlement. Fahmi is expected to testify.

Fahmi expressed gratitude towards his legal team for their efforts in mediating between two of the three defendants. He emphasized that resolving two of the three cases clears his name from what he described as unfair, baseless, and defamatory allegations. Fahmi urged individuals to verify facts before posting on social media to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Earlier, Fahmi had also settled a defamation suit against Facebook user 'N13 Kuang', Mohd Fauzan Madzlan, in the High Court. Fahmi's statement of claim, filed on September 5, 2023, accuses Wan Muhammad Azri, Ahmad Dusuki, and Mohd Fauzan of disseminating defamatory statements that accused him of misusing a mosque for election campaigning, contrary to the Sultan of Selangor's decrees.

Fahmi asserts that the defamatory statements were baseless and published on various social media accounts, including Mohd Fauzan's Facebook, Ahmad Dusuki's Facebook and Instagram, and Wan Muhammad Azri's TikTok and Facebook accounts. The Selangor Islamic Religious Council has confirmed that Fahmi did not deliver any political speech as alleged.

He seeks general, aggravated, or exemplary damages and an injunction to prevent the defendants from repeating or republishing the defamatory statements.