Tuan Ibrahim sues Rafizi for defamation over flood mitigation project

Environment and Water Minister Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man has filed a suit against PKR deputy president Rafizi Ramli for allegedly defaming him regarding the approval of several projects, including for flood mitigation.

Tuan Ibrahim, 62, filed the suit through Yusfarizal Aziz & Zaid at the Kuala Lumpur High Court yesterday, naming Rafizi, 45, as the sole defendant.

In his statement of claim, Tuan Ibrahim alleged that Rafizi made defamatory statements against him at two press conferences at the PKR headquarters in Petaling Jaya, which were streamed live on the defendant’s YouTube account on Nov 7 and 9.

The PAS deputy president claimed the statements implied that during the time of the caretaker government, discussions and efforts involving the plaintiff were actively conducted to approve projects worth RM2 billion to Mangkubumi Sdn Bhd through direct negotiations for the Sungai Langat flood mitigation project.

He said Rafizi’s remarks implied that he had approved two sewage treatment plant and sewerage pipe network projects in Papan, Kinta, and one project for building a sewerage pipe network in Petaling Jaya to Mangkubumi, all worth more than RM2.3 billion, apart from conspiring with then prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin to secretly award projects under Program Jana Wibawa.

He claimed that the statements were false and made with malicious intent by twisting facts to give the impression that he was dishonest and untrustworthy and had exceeded his power as a caretaker minister.

Tuan Ibrahim said the statements also created a bad perception of him as a political leader who had always practised Islamic principles in his administration and had caused him to be criticised by netizens on social media where he could not reply or clarify.

Tuan Ibrahim demanded that Rafizi issue a public apology in local Malay and English newspapers, on his Facebook, Twitter and YouTube, as well as the PKR website, within 14 days from the date of judgment, in addition to retracting or deleting all related media statements on the same social media within 48 hours of the date of judgment.

Tuan Ibrahim also applied for an injunction to restrain Rafizi, his agents or assistants from broadcasting and publishing any similar statements and videos, whether directly or indirectly, as well as general, exemplary and aggravated damages.

Tuan Ibrahim’s lawyer Yusfarizal Yussoff, when contacted by Bernama, confirmed that the suit had been filed.