4As Malaysia issued letter of demand by former CEO Khairudin Rahim

The former CEO of 4As Malaysia, Khairudin Rahim through his appointed lawyer, has issued on 17 July, a Letter of Demand to his former employer 4As Malaysia and its CEO Andrew Lee. According to the statement sent to A+M, this as a "consequence of 4As Malaysia and Andrew Lee publishing and circulating a press statement and memo to 4As members" that allegedly contained defamatory statements against Khairudin Rahim.

The press statement titled “Media Statement from Andrew Lee, CEO of the Association of Accredited Advertising Agents Malaysia(4As)”, dated 30 May 2025 was published on the 4As website and disseminated through various news media outlets where it remains publicly accessible. The memo was issued and circulated to 4As member agencies on 16 June 2025, and remains in circulation and accessible up to date.

The letter of demand states that the press statement and memo contains false, misleading and/or defamatory statements against him. 

Below are the details of the letter of demand.

Alleged defamatory statements in the press statement and memo

a) “In the matter concerning our current CEO, Andrew Lee, the then acting president proposed appointing Lee as the new CEO of 4As Malaysia in the May 2024 council meeting. This was necessary, given that Khairudin had refused to continue his service despite being paid until June 30, 2024", as stated in the press statement.  

b) ”In May 2024 council meeting, the acting president proposed appointing Lee as the new CEO. The proposal was necessary as Khairudin had refused to continue his service, despite being paid until 30 June 2024", as stated in the memo. 

c) ”As to benchmark precedence, where it was claimed that Khairudin met the council for an interview, and the council voted to appoint him. It is not true", as stated in the memo.

"Despite Khairudin presenting proof of 4As letters/email replies and the testimony of two former 4As council members, to the recently elected 4As president and vice president on 20th June and requesting that these misleading/defamatory statements be withdrawn and an apology be issued, the 4As for reasons best known to them, have not done so," said the statement from Khairudin.

"The defamatory statements have caused and/or continue to cause significant harm and damage to Khairudin Rahim’s reputation. The publication and circulation of these statements have also caused distress, embarrassment and professional prejudice including Khairudin’s credibility within the advertising industry in Malaysia," his statement added. It also stated:

The defamatory statements amongst others were and are understood to mean, amongst others, that Khairudin Rahim:

• Had refused to continue his service and tenure as CEO of 4As Malaysia
• Had lied and/or falsely represented that he was interviewed by the council of 4As Malaysia prior to his appointment as CEO in 2015.
• ⁠Is a dishonest and/or not a trustworthy person.

Amongst Khairudin’s demands are that both 4As Malaysia and Andrew Lee within seven days:

• Immediately issue a clear and unqualified public apology in a form, manner and venue acceptable to him.
• Immediately remove and/or cause to remove the Press Statement and Memo from the 4As official website and/or any other relevant media outlets and online platforms.
• Pay him a sum acceptable by him as compensation for the libelous statements made which has caused injury to his reputation earned from an almost 50-year service in the advertising industry.

Failure to comply with these demands will commence legal proceedings without any further reference, the statement added. 

A+M has reached out to 4As Malaysia for comment.