Hattan's ex-wife's suit against owner of entertainment blog resolved

A RM1 million defamation suit filed by the ex-wife of popular singer Hattan against the owner of an entertainment blog over an article was resolved after the owner of the Oh Bulan! blog apologised at the High Court here today.

Judge Datuk Nor Bee Ariffin recorded a joint statement in the presence of counsel Amer Hamzah Arshad, representing the plaintiff, Noorfarashikin Othman and lawyer Andrew Suresh, who acted for the owner of the blog, Driven Communications Sdn Bhd.

On July 3 last year, Noorfarashikin, 33, who is divorced from Hattan, whose real name is Datuk Mohd Shukri Sahabuddin, after two months of marriage, filed a suit over an article defaming her was published through the website http://www.ohbulan.com/.

Noorfarashikin said the article implied that she was a dishonest, unreliable and unfaithful wife.

Andrew said the defendant regretted the issuance of the article and would like to extend a sincere apology to the plaintiff.

He said the defendant accepts that the allegations in the article is incorrect and without foundation.

Besides the RM1 million in general damages, she also sought special, aggravated and exemplary damages, interest, costs and other relief deemed fit by the court.

Noorfarashikin claimed that due to the articles, her personal and professional reputation was damaged and she suffered distress, embarrassment and her feelings were hurt.

When asked by reporters about the terms of the settlement, Amer Hamzah said it was confidential.