Bayan Baru MP Sim Tze Tzin has "apologised unconditionally" over a 2011 press statement over the much-publicised land reclamation project in Queensbay, Penang by Boustead Holdings Bhd.

Sim said it has since come to his attention and knowledge that some of the comments in his press statement were inaccurate.

"Amongst others, there were suggestions in my press statement of Boustead’s affiliations with Umno, and that their actions in the matter lacked probity and integrity," he said.

"As such, I wish unconditionally to retract the entirety of my press statement and I fully apologise to Boustead for the misconception that my comments would have generated," said Sim in court today.

The former PKR Pantai Jerejak assemblyperson said he had commented earlier out of duty, as the issue is of great public interest that directly affects his constituents.

"I was inclined to speak out in the interests of my constituents, as it is my duty as an elected representative to express my deepest concerns and reservations where issues affecting the community are at the forefront," he said.

"I must stress that at the time of release, my press statement contained my personal views which were based on information which I had strong grounds to believe was the truth," he added.

The counsels for Boustead are Fahri Azzat and Izzat Othman, and Ranjit Singh acted for Sim, while High Court judge Varghese George Varughese presided over the case.

Fahri told the court that both parties had come to a settlement, adding that the “plaintiff has agreed to accept as full and final settlement, a retraction and apology by the defendant”.

No order as to costs

Varghese said the matter has been settled by the defendant’s retraction and apology as read out in court.

“There is no order as to costs. The court compliments both parties and their respective counsels for amicably resolving and settling this case,” he added.

In its statement of claim, Boustead said Sim had made the defamatory statements in a press conference on Oct 2, 2011.

Boustead claimed that Sim had made suggestions of the developer’s affiliation with Umno, that they were profit-minded and had forced the Penang government to provide a compensation deal with them, which included land reclamation.

Boustead wanted Sim to apologise and pay RM1 million in damages.