GE15 | PKR deputy president Rafizi Ramli's latest revelation in the RM2 billion flood mitigation project in Sungai Langat 2 still fails to implicate his involvement, outgoing environment and water minister Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man has said.
As such, he added that Rafizi's latest allegations are clearly meant to spoil his reputation, and will be answered with a defamation suit.
“Rafizi held a press conference yesterday, supposedly to answer the demands I put forward (in a letter of demand) and give ‘solid evidence’ about the accusations he made against me.
“However, it proved that the press conference only strengthened the suspicion that Rafizi only made false accusations and malicious distortions of facts to bring down my reputation,” the PAS deputy president said in a statement today.
Tuan Ibrahim (above, left) was responding to the press conference by Rafizi (above, right) yesterday, in which he produced a letter that purportedly shows the RM2 billion flood mitigation project in Sungai Langat 2 was approved by the government for direct tender to a specific company on Oct 7, one working day before Parliament was dissolved.
According to Rafizi, the letter dated Oct 7 supposedly sent by Treasury secretary-general Asri Hamidon to the Environment and Water Ministry’s secretary-general Zaini Ujang stated that the finance minister has agreed to approve the Sungai Langat 2 flood mitigation project to be awarded via direct negotiation to a company that Rafizi described as an “Umno crony” firm.
‘Slanderous in nature’
Tuan Ibrahim said the letter clearly showed that neither he nor his ministry had any part in the approval.
“Based on the letter, it is clear that the approval was not made by me or my minister. The letter was issued on Oct 7, 2022, before Parliament was dissolved, and not during the caretaker government period.
“The press conference by Rafizi also completely failed to reveal evidence of my involvement in the approval of the project, including my, or the ministry's efforts to award the project during the interim government (stage),” he said.
“I have also clearly stated that I have never met, consulted, or taken any action during the caretaker government period towards awarding the project.”
Therefore, Tuan ibrahim said, Rafizi’s claims were clearly slanderous in nature and were meant to destroy his reputation and PAS’ in general.
“I have instructed my lawyers, Messrs Yusfarizal Aziz & Zaid to file a defamation suit against Rafizi as soon as I receive a written response from Rafizi’s lawyer or after the seven-day period has expired.”
In the letter of demand sent to Rafizi, who is also the PKR Pandan candidate, earlier this week, Tuan Ibrahim had demanded the former to issue a letter of undertaking within seven days (which expires on Nov 17) promising to cease making similar allegations, as well as provide a draft statement apologising for the allegations.
In addition, Rafizi was also told to propose a suitable amount as compensation within seven days for allegedly defaming Tuan Ibrahim, which must be settled immediately once an agreement is reached.
Earlier this week, Rafizi had accused the caretaker government of trying to bulldoze the awarding of contracts worth billions of ringgit for cronies. - Mkini
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