PKR vice-president Rafizi Ramli has refused to withdraw his allegation of nepotism against cabinet minister Abdul Rahman Dahlan.

This was despite being served with a letter of demand seeking an apology after Rafizi had accused him of nepotism in awarding government contracts.

Rafizi, who is Pandan MP, had earlier alleged the Economic Planning Unit in the Prime Minister’s Department, led by Rahman, had awarded a million-ringgit contract to event management company Pico Integrated Exhibits (M) Sdn Bhd, whose chief executive officer, Raslan Dahlan, was alleged to be the cabinet minister’s elder brother.

“I have not gone to my service center yet but I was informed about the letter. I will reply the letter and if he wants to sue, he can go ahead.

“I will not withdraw (my statement) and I will reply to the letter according to legal procedures. I will not give the excuse of not wanting to meet with Rahman,” he told The Malaysian Insight.

The first letter of demand was issued on January 5, which was sent to Rafizi by both registered post and by hand, via the Raja Riza & Associates law firm.

Rafizi had questioned Rahman’s expenditure for the Expo Negaraku programme since it involved public funds under the EPU.

“He has yet to answer why the EPU under his leadership spent up to RM37 million in a situation where the federal government is collecting GST (goods and services tax), chasing individuals and companies for income tax for the past year while the price of goods still remains high,” he said.

Rahman had said legal proceedings would be initiated if the Pandan MP failed to respond to the letter of demand within seven days.

He had also denied Rafizi’s allegation that Raslan was his brother. – January 9, 2018.