KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 21 — Popular preacher Datuk Mohammad Kazim Elias has demanded a mother apologise for linking his tahfiz school in Ipoh, Perak and himself to allegations of sexual abuse against the students, or pay RM8 million in damages for the alleged libel.

According to the letter of demand sighted by Malay Mail Online, Kazim claimed a Facebook post made by the woman referring to “a maahad upnorth and led by a famous ustaz” had hinted at him and his religious school even when the two were not explicitly named.

The letter from law firm Khairul, Suhaila and Hazlina insisted that the accusations of sexual abuse in the school were untrue and highly defamatory, and was intended to “affect the reputation and also the client’s reputable track record” including his religious reputation.

“Our client believes that the said publications are targeted against our client as a series of intentional and malicious assaults against our client’s good name and reputation,” said the letter dated November 18.

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The firm’s partner Mohd Firdaus Mohamood confirmed to Malay Mail Online’s sister publication ProjekMMO that the letter was handed over to the woman by hand today, and the recipient has seven days from today to comply with the demand.

The mother was said to have contacted former TV celebrity Wardina Safiyyah on August 1, 2016 on Facebook to establish allegations regarding Kazim and his school, which later went viral after it was also shared by social activist Syed Azmi Alhabshi.

Both Wardina and Syed Azmi had maintained that they have never named the school in question and instead it was revealed by the police themselves and subsequent media reports, after Kazim lodged a police report against them in late August.

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In the letter of demand, the firm said Kazim and the school’s names were mentioned in the comment section of the Facebook post.

The firm said Kazim has been accused as a paedophile who uses the school to attract and sexually abuse children, in addition to threatening the family affected and participated in a cover-up using his political influences.

On August 27, Perak police confirmed it had wrapped up its investigation on Kazim’s school — which teaches Quran memorisation — after taking statements from 10 individuals including students, the alleged victim, and the school.

Kazim has previously denied the sexual abuse allegations, and vowed to turn over the culprit if he is proven guilty, even if it was a member of his own family.

Speaking at a preaching event amid the media storm in August, Kazim said he was not afraid of the accusations, claiming his school, called Darul Barakah, and him have the Quran “by their side”.