Papagomo to face contempt proceedings over insincere apology video

CONTROVERSIAL blogger Papagomo is facing a second contempt of court application after allegedly mocking a court-ordered apology to the Inspector-General of Police, Tan Sri Razarudin Husain, by using background music from the classic Malay comedy “Pendekar Bujang Lapok’ in a social media video.

Lawyer Raam Kumar, representing Razarudin, argued in the Kuala Lumpur High Court that the video, published on YouTube, TikTok, X and Telegram on 30 April, showed a clear lack of remorse and breached the terms of the injunction imposed on Papagomo, whose real name is Wan Muhammad Azri Wan Deris.

“The video demonstrates that the defendant is making light of the situation and was not sincere in offering his apology,” said Raam.

“This is a court-related matter, but the apology was accompanied by comedic background music, showing no sign of regret. The defendant stated he was apologising merely to avoid prison, not because he had done anything wrong. That is not a genuine apology,” he added.

The application is part of an ongoing RM3 million defamation lawsuit brought by Razarudin against Wan Muhammad Azri for allegedly defamatory remarks. The police chief is also seeking an injunction to prevent further publication or repetition of the defamatory statements.

Defence counsel Muhammad Rafique Rashid Ali argued that the plaintiff’s application should be dismissed as it lacked a prima facie basis. However, Judicial Commissioner Gan Techiong allowed the application to proceed, setting the hearing for 30 June.

The court ordered the defendant to file a reply affidavit by 23 May, with the plaintiff’s response due by 6 June, and both parties to submit written arguments by 20 June.

Last Wednesday, Wan Muhammad Azri made a public apology in court, but the video in question has since cast doubt on its sincerity.

Razarudin’s suit, filed on 26 December 2024, seeks general, aggravated, exemplary, and special damages, as well as a permanent injunction to restrain the defendant from repeating or disseminating the defamatory content. - May 9, 2025