Acting for Aminul, also known as Amin, law firm Lui & Bhullar said the term was used in a video posted on April 17 on multiple platforms, including Facebook and YouTube.
It said the term was also used several times during an episode of Rafizi’s Yang Berhenti Menteri podcast, contending that the term was vile and derogatory.
“Your conduct was wilful, malicious and entirely inexcusable as this term has historically been used to insult an individual. It is a word loaded with the memory of colonial-style oppression, cultural suppression and genocide.
“In its ordinary meaning, and by innuendo, the term was used to refer to our client with the intention to demean, dehumanise and inflict harm on our client,” said the letter of demand.
The firm also said the Pandan MP had republished several parts of a Bloomberg article that was the subject of an ongoing civil suit by translating it into Bahasa Melayu.
It contended that the statements were defamatory, maintaining that he was not involved in corrupt practices, had not defrauded migrant workers, and was not “hiding” behind certain authorities to escape legal action.
“In fact, Bestinet has been investigated by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission and our client had extended the fullest cooperation.”
In the letter dated April 21, the law firm demanded that Rafizi apologise within seven days for using the purported slur and repeating the defamatory statements.
It also demanded that the former economy minister retract and cease using the term, as well as acknowledge that it was offensive.
The firm warned that Aminul would lodge a police report for criminal harassment as well as file a civil suit to seek damages if Rafizi does not issue the apology.
In a separate statement, Rafizi said he has asked his lawyers to handle the matter.
Earlier this year, Bestinet and Aminul sued Bloomberg and nine others, including Rafizi, over an article linking the company and its founder to a migrant worker recruitment syndicate.
Bloomberg (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd has applied to strike out the suit, with the High Court to hear the application on June 26.