Former Malacca chief minister Rahim Thamby Chik has issued a letter of demand to Kota Melaka MP Khoo Poay Tiong, demanding an apology and RM1.5 million in compensation.

This was over Khoo's remarks in Dec 2018, urging Bersatu to reject Rahim's membership application as the latter was a scandal-plagued leader. 

Khoo said Rahim had alleged the statement was defamatory.

"I will not be agreeing to any of Rahim’s demand. I deny the allegation of defamation in the letter of demand.

"I will instruct my solicitors to reply to the said letter accordingly. I am prepared to defend and resist any legal action that may be filed by Rahim," the MP said in a statement today.

Khoo in December accused Rahim of being part of the "Datuk Trio".

This group gained notoriety after they screened a sex video to journalists in 2011 claiming that the clip showed PKR president Anwar Ibrahim allegedly with a prostitute. Anwar had denied this.

Khoo (photo) also pointed out that Rahim had been investigated for rape of a minor in 1994, although the case was later dropped due to a lack of evidence.

Rahim in turn, threatened to sue, saying he had acted against the DAP before.

This was in reference to his previous suit against the DAP for the statutory rape allegation, which prompted the party to retract its statement, citing subsequent developments where the accuser retracted the allegation.

Rahim retracted the suit after DAP's admission. Despite the accusation, Rahim was never convicted.

Khoo defended his remarks in December, saying Rahim's application to join Bersatu was a public interest issue.

He also questioned why Rahim waited so long before issuing a letter of demand.

"Did he hesitate and take so long because he did not want to spoil the chances of him being accepted into Bersatu?

"Does this mean that his application to Bersatu has been rejected and therefore is now free to sue me?

"In any case, I urge Bersatu to take note of this recent action by Rahim and evaluate if he is fit to be part of Pakatan Harapan," he said.