Sex video: Back off or I’ll sue for defamation, says Rahim

ALOR GAJAH: Former Malacca chief minister Tan Sri Abdul Rahim Tamby Chik said he will take legal action against Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim if the Opposition Leader resorts to personal attacks against him over the sex video scandal.

The Risda chairman also warned bloggers who assassinate his character online that they have to face the music, including being sued, saying he had neither been charged nor had he done anything wrong.

“I would like to remind bloggers to not attack me or delve on my past,” he said.

“I will answer through legal means against those who go overboard,” he said during a visit to the Risda College in Ayer Pa'abas here by Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal yesterday.

Rahim advised Anwar to be careful in dealing with the issue, adding that he was worried “a second Eskay” would appear and make the situation worse. He declined to elaborate.

Asked if he had received any threat to his safety, Rahim said: “Not yet, God willing.”

Last week, Rahim, businessman Datuk Shazryl Eskay Abdullah and Perkasa treasurer Datuk Shuib Lazim, screened to a selected group of viewers a video that showed a foreign woman, believed to be a prostitute with a man said to resemble Anwar, who had denied it.

Meanwhile, Anwar's lawyer Sivarasa Rasiah has called for Datuk Shazryl Eskay Abdullah to cease making allegations on Anwar or face legal repercussions.

Sivarasa's warning came following an online news portal report where Eskay had claimed Anwar had made trips to Thailand over the past two years and demanded that Anwar reveal details about the alleged visits.

In the report Eskay also openly threw questions at Anwar, among others how many times has Anwar been to Thailand, who greeted him, which hotel did he stay in and what was he doing in the hotel.

“As legal counsel to Anwar, I wish to warn Eskay that he should cease his foolish and childish rants about Anwar's travels in Thailand or anywhere for that matter in the world,” Sivarasa said in his statement yesterday.

“No sensible person would deem it necessary to answer the sort of questions. If he has any specific accusations to make, then he should make them and meet the consequences, legal and otherwise,” he added.