“Failure to do so will only further solidify allegations made by Tei,” he said in a video.

Rafizi said failing to take action against Tei would also affect the credibility of both Anwar and his government.

“At this moment, I can’t see a better way for the prime minister to reduce the damage to his credibility. I hope that Anwar will sue Tei as soon as possible and leave it to the courts to decide,” he said.

Rafizi’s suggestion follows a police report filed by Shamsul against Tei in Sandakan, Sabah, this evening, after the businessman linked him to the alleged mining scandal in Sabah.

In a Facebook post, the Melaka PKR chief described the allegations as a “malicious conspiracy” to smear the prime minister’s image and a coordinated effort to topple the government through undemocratic means.

The police report against Tei came hours after the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission said it would investigate the businessman’s claim that he had given multiple bribes to Shamsul, who resigned from his political secretary position yesterday.