KUALA LUMPUR (April 30): PKR vice president Rafizi Ramli said he welcomes any legal action that Barisan Nasional Youth chief Datuk Seri Khairy Jamaluddin plans to take against him over his statements about the BN's uncontested win in Rantau during nominations for the May 9 general election.

"I'll be happy to see him in court," Rafizi told a press conference today. "His reaction shows he is panicking about the possible backlash from the Indian community that could jeopardise his chance in [the] Rembau [parliamentary seat]."

Khairy is defending the Rembau parliamentary constituency in the May 9 general election, while Rantau is a state seat within that constituency.

"BN is on the defensive on the Rantau (issue) and now Rembau's (chances). Their short-term gain of winning that one seat in Rantau may cause an avalanche of anger among the Indians," said Rafizi.

Yesterday, Khairy, who is also Umno Youth chief, said he would take legal action against Rafizi over claims the latter made that Khairy was responsible for Pakatan Harapan's candidate Dr S Streram (from PKR) being denied entry by the police into the nomination centre in Rembau on Saturday.

Streram was barred from entering the centre on grounds that he did not have an Election Commission pass with him. This resulted in the BN's candidate, Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar and incumbent Datuk Seri Mohamed Hassan, winning the seat uncontested.

"He has denied the constituents in Rantau, which has among the highest Indian voters, a choice of voting for this man who has been working with the people there especially among the poor Indian community," claimed Rafizi.

"I'm ready to go into lock-up today [if they come after me]. More votes will come [to Pakatan then]," he added.

Rafizi said he would be going to Rantau tonight to see what he can do for the people there as the constituency is among the earliest helped by Invoke, the non-governmental organisation he heads. Invoke had identified that a candidate who can help the Indian poor there stands a good chance of winning the seat.

Rafixi claimed BN wanted to remove the threat posed by Streram, who had been working there for the past two years.

"Now Rembau too is no longer a safe seat. He (Khairy) will get a run for his money this general election," Rafizi added.

According to news reports, Umno Youth lodged a police report against Rafizi on Saturday over defamatory remarks he allegedly made on social media regarding Mohamed's victory.