Penang Pas Chief Apologises To Rayer Admits Failure To Verify Claim

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Penang PAS chief Fauzi Yusoff has issued a formal apology in court to RSN Rayer, admitting he was wrong to claim in a 2023 speech that the Jelutong MP had stated DAP could survive without the support of Malay and Indian voters.
Fauzi (above, second left) acknowledged that his statement was based on information from several individuals who approached him about a fire incident in Solok Sungai Pinang on June 6, 2023.
“I made a mistake by relying on unverified, verbal accounts from individuals who were emotionally charged at the time.
“I failed to confirm the facts with the residents or the public, which led to an inaccurate understanding of the incident,” he explained.
To resolve the issue and allow all parties to focus on more pressing matters such as national development and the welfare of the people, particularly in Penang, Fauzi expressed his regret.
“To prevent this matter from dragging on, I offer a sincere and unconditional apology to the plaintiff. I also fully retract the statement I made,” he said.
Rayer had filed a defamation lawsuit after Fauzi alleged that the DAP lawmaker told Malay and Indian voters in Sungai Pinang that DAP could continue to thrive without their support.
The claim was made during a ceramah, which was broadcast live on Fauzi's Facebook, where he asserted that Rayer was upset after victims of the fire received an earlier visit from PAS representatives.
The PAS leader further asserted that Rayer and his team had only visited the victims after the Islamist party had already been on the scene.
Fauzi went on to claim that a voter later informed him that Rayer had been allegedly upset with the Malay and Indian voters, who reportedly expressed their intention to withdraw support from DAP.
Commenting on the apology, Rayer said he was glad that the truth had prevailed.
“I am very happy that it has been proven in court that I never discriminated against anyone in my political work. I have also proven that DAP never discriminates against any race,” he told Malaysiakini.
PAS warns members to check facts
In February, PAS deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man urged party leaders to verify their facts before making public statements.
“We run the risk of being sued personally and having to pay damages. The party is also at risk of (having its image tarnished).
“So all leaders and members must exercise care to preserve PAS’ image and defend the integrity of the party’s leadership,” he added.
Last December, the High Court in Penang ruled that PAS’ Kepala Batas MP Siti Mastura Muhammad was guilty of defamation.
Her remarks linking DAP leaders Lim Kit Siang, Lim Guan Eng, and Teresa Kok to the late Communist Party of Malaya leader Chin Peng and Singapore’s Lee Kuan Yew were found to have been made with malice.
The court awarded global damages of RM300,000 in favour of Kit Siang, RM250,000 for Guan Eng, and RM200,000 for Kok. Additionally, Siti Mastura was ordered to pay RM25,000 in costs to each plaintiff. - Mkini

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