Tuan Ibrahim sends legal letter to Rafizi over tender claims

Lawyers acting on behalf of environment and water caretaker minister Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man have sent a legal letter to PKR deputy president Mohd Rafizi Ramli accusing the latter of defaming the minister.

This is over Rafizi’s allegations that Tuan Ibrahim’s ministry is attempting to bulldoze contracts worth billions of ringgit in violation of Treasury rules for caretaker governments.

The letter, reproduced on PAS mouthpiece Harakah, demanded the PKR Pandan candidate issue a letter of undertaking within seven days promising to cease making similar allegations.

They also want Rafizi (above, right) to provide a draft statement apologising for the allegations. If it is to Tuan Ibrahim’s satisfaction, it will be publicised in any media of his choosing at Rafizi’s expense.

They also told Rafizi to propose a suitable amount within seven days as compensation for allegedly defaming Tuan Ibrahim (above, left), which must be settled immediately once an agreement is reached.

“Take note that if you fail to abide by the above demands, our firm has stern orders from our client to take necessary actions without further reference to you, including to initiate legal proceedings and/or obtain an injunction against you, where you will be liable for any cost and expenses for those purposes,” the letter read.

The letter was reportedly handed to Rafizi through law firm Yusfarizal Aziz & Zaid. Malaysiakini has contacted Rafizi for comment on the letter.

On Nov 7, Rafizi claimed that a RM578.6 million flood mitigation project in Malacca had been awarded to an alleged Umno crony company just days after Parliament was dissolved to give way for the 15th general election.

He also told the same press conference that Tuan Ibrahim’s ministry was also in the process of awarding a RM2 billion contract via direct tender to the same company for flood mitigation works in Sungai Langat 2.

This was despite a Treasury circular dated Oct 18 stating the caretaker government should avoid entering new contracts that could create financial implications for the next government.

However, the circular noted that the caretaker government can continue with existing policies and enter contracts in matters where the financial allocations have been approved by Parliament beforehand.

Countering Rafizi’s allegations

Responding to Rafizi’s allegations, the letter of demand countered that Tuan Ibrahim had never entered talks with anyone for the purpose of any tender under his ministry.

“Moreover, since the dissolution of Parliament, the Environment and Water Ministry has, upon instruction by our client as the minister in charge, suspended all procurement processes for the Off-Budget Flood Mitigation Project (2023-2030) and Sungai Langat Flood Mitigation Planning Works.

“Therefore, it is untrue that there is supposedly any negotiation and/or discussion and/or effort to approve any project for the duration where our client held the environment and water minister post following the dissolution,” the letter read.

According to the letter, Rafizi alleged that the projects costing RM2.3 billion were awarded from 2013 to 2017, but Tuan Ibrahim only became a minister in 2020.

Hence, the allegation that Tuan Ibrahim approved the projects is untrue, the letter further stated.

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