CARETAKER Environment and Water Minister Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man will file a defamation suit against PKR deputy president Rafizi Ramli for allegedly claiming that he had approved flood mitigation works after parliament was dissolved.

Tuan Ibrahim said he had instructed his lawyers Messrs. Yusfarizal Aziz & Zaid to do so when he received a written reply from Rafizi’s lawyer or after the expiry of the seven-day period that he had been given to apologise.

He said yesterday Rafizi held a press conference to provide solid evidence regarding the allegation, but he only made false accusations and misrepresentation of facts with the malicious intent to destroy his reputation.

Tuan Ibrahim said in the press conference, Rafizi alleged that the Treasury secretary-general issued a letter dated October 7, 2022, to the Environment and Water Ministry secretary-general to inform of the finance minister’s decision to award the Sungai Langat 2 flood mitigation project through direct negotiations to Mangkubumi Sdn. Bhd.

“According to the letter, it is clear that the approval was not made by me or the ministry. The letter was issued on October 7, 2022, before parliament was dissolved and not during the period when the caretaker government was in charge,” he said in a statement posted on his Facebook page today.

Therefore, he said Rafizi failed to provide proof of his involvement in the project approval, including his or ministry’s bid to award the project at the time when the caretaker government was in charge.

Tuan Ibrahim said he had made it clear that he had never met, consulted, or taken any action to approve the project within the period.

“Therefore, it is clearly proven that Rafizi’s statements, including yesterday’s press conference, are defamatory to destroy my reputation, and PAS’ reputation in general,” he added.

The PAS deputy president yesterday reportedly demanded Rafizi apologise over his claims that the ministry was in the process to award the RM2 billion project. – Bernama, November 12, 2022.