Rafizi slapped with demand letter after accusing PAS leader of graft

PKR deputy president Rafizi Ramli has been threatened with legal action over his claims of abuse in the award of a RM2 billion contract by the government for flood mitigation works.

Environment and Water Minister Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man, whose lawyers issued the letter of demand against Rafizi today, had denied approving any projects since the dissolution of Parliament on Oct 10. 

He also said he had ensured that all projects approved by his ministry were in line with financial procedures, and that he had never interfered in issues concerning tenders issued by the ministry. 

The letter issued by his lawyers today said Rafizi had, on Nov 7 and 9, made two statements at press conferences in Petaling Jaya claiming, among others, that Tuan Ibrahim in his capacity as minister was in the process of approving the project for award through direct tender to one Mangkubumi Sdn Bhd, and that he had been secretly involved in the award of projects under the Jana Wibawa programme.

Tuan Ibrahim's lawyers said the claims implied that he had abused his position as environment and water minister, that he was not qualified for the post, and that he was a person without integrity who had no morals and no respect for the rule of law. 

They said Rafizi had also implied that Tuan Man, the PAS deputy president, was involved in corrupt activities and had used his ministry to benefit a company with the goal of profiting from it for himself. 

They also accused Rafizi of using the matter as campaign material for the upcoming election, to benefit himself in the race for the parliamentary seat of Pandan. 

They gave Rafizi seven days to issue a written declaration that he would cease from issuing such statements, as well as a public apology and a suggested amount of compensation.

Failing this, they said, they had been instructed to take appropriate steps including the possibility of legal action. 

Rafizi had rejected calls to report the matter to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, saying it would not be investigated.