“I’m waiting for the letter of demand from his lawyer,” Sim said in a Facebook post today.

The Bukit Mertajam MP was responding to Zaharudin Muhammad, who said he was considering legal action over Sim’s criticism of a Facebook post related to the recent promotion of a Chinese officer to the rank of lieutenant-general in the armed forces.

In his post, Zaharudin had speculated that Malaysia could see its first prime minister of Chinese descent in the next 30 to 40 years.

The son-in-law of PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang also uploaded a screenshot of a news report about Johnny Lim’s promotion which he said was only for illustrative purposes.

The post, which was subsequently deleted, prompted accusations of racism from several quarters and criticism, including from Zaharudin’s own party.

Sim was among those who called for Zaharudin to be investigated.

He said today that Zaharudin, the Sungai Buloh PAS chief, had fanned racial sentiments and that he had merely spoken out against racism when criticising him.

“Now you want to take legal action against me? I will not budge in confronting this PAS leader who is racist, prejudiced and insulting to our servicemen.

“If defending the harmony of our multiracial society and the dignity of the armed forces means I get sued by this PAS leader, I am ready.”