KUALA LUMPUR – Former Economy Minister Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli has instructed his legal team to initiate defamation proceedings against Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri R. Ramanan following explosive allegations made during a press conference yesterday.
The move marks a dramatic escalation in the feud between the two political figures over an alleged RM9.5 million “corporate mafia” bribery scandal.
In a statement today, Rafizi confirmed that video recordings and transcripts of Ramanan’s remarks at the Human Resources Ministry (Kesuma) staff event—where Ramanan labeled him a “serial liar” and accused him of corruption—have been handed to his lawyers for review.
“During yesterday’s press conference, R. Ramanan made various allegations against me, including accusing me of being involved in corruption. I have instructed my lawyers to begin legal proceedings against him,” Rafizi said, adding that his legal counsel verified strong grounds for a defamation suit.
Exposing parliamentary discrepancy
Beyond the lawsuit, Rafizi used Ramanan’s press conference to dispute Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s recent statement in the Dewan Rakyat.
According to Rafizi, Anwar had claimed in Parliament that Ramanan had already taken legal action over the RM9.5 million bribery allegations. However, Ramanan’s own statements yesterday confirmed no such suit was filed.
“R. Ramanan’s press conference confirms that Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s statement in Parliament this week… was untrue,” Rafizi asserted, leaving it to MPs to decide whether to refer the Prime Minister to Parliament’s Committee of Privileges.
The RM9.5 million conflict
The dispute stems from Rafizi’s allegations that a minister received RM9.5 million from a businessman to resolve a corporate mafia dispute.
At yesterday’s event, Ramanan forcefully rejected the claims, challenging Rafizi to produce concrete proof rather than narrative spin.
“He said he had evidence. Is there even one piece of paper as evidence? Where is his evidence?” Ramanan demanded.
Rafizi maintained that Ramanan’s continued refusal to sue over the initial allegations leaves the door wide open for him to drag the Human Resources Minister into court instead. – October 23, 2026