KUALA LUMPUR: After eight years, singer Shila Amzah has finally issued an apology to Malay-medium entertainment reporters.
In an exclusive interview with Melodi aired live on TV3 yesterday, the 31-year-old artiste said that what took place was out of her control.
"I'd like to apologise to all whom had been offended by what happened before this.
"Frankly speaking, I wasn't given the opportunity to make my own decisions then. If I had direct access to the media then, I'd have met them face-to-face to explain things," she said.
In the four-minute interview, Shila whose full name is Nur Shahila Amir Hamzah, also regretted the decision for suing a reporter, an editor and a newspaper with regard to the matter.
"If I could turn back time, I wish I didn't bring the case to the courts. It was a waste of time, energy and resources.
"It also had an emotional impact on me. It was a dark time for me, and a lesson and reminder for both myself and others," said Shila of the court case which eventually saw the judge acquitting all the three defendants of slander.
The controversy between Shila and entertainment reporters was sparked by her Instagram status when she praised local Chinese press for its coverage on her success in China, while brandishing the Malay newspaper reporters as being more interested in gossip and personal stories.