Former CEO of 4As Malaysia releases Press Statement…

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.

This as a consequence of 4As Malaysia and Andrew Lee publishing and circulating a press statement and memo to 4As members that 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 oulets where it remains publicly accessible.

The memo was issued and circulated to 4As member agencies on 16 June 2025.
The memo remains in circulation and accessible up till to date.

The Press Statement and Memo contains false,misleading and/or defamatory statements against him.

1. Defamatory Statements in the Press Statement and Memo.
   a) “In the matter concerning our current CEO, Mr Andrew Lee, the then Acting President proposed appointing Andrew as the new CEO of 4As Malaysia in the May 2024 Council meeting.
   THIS WAS NECESSARY GIVEN THAT ENCIK KHAIRUDIN HAD REFUSED TO CONTINUE HIS SERVICE DESPITE BEING PAID UNTIL JUNE 30 2024.
   b) In May 2024 Council meeting, the Acting President proposed appointing Mr Andrew Lee as the new CEO.
   THE PROPOSAL WAS NECESSARY AS MR KHAIRUDIN HAD REFUSED TO CONTINUE HIS SERVICE, DESPITE BEING PAID UNTIL 30 JUNE 2024.
2. Defamatory Statement in the Memo.
   a) “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.”

Despite Khairudin presenting proof of 4As letters/email replies and the testimony of 2 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elected 4As President and Vice President on 20th June and requesting that these misleading/defamatory statements be withdrawn and an apology be issued, the 4As for reasons best known to them, have not done so.

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, embarresment and professional prejudice including Khairudin’s credibility within the advertising industry in Malaysia.

The Defamatory Statements amongst others were and are understood to mean,amongst others, 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 7 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 libellous 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 he will commence legal proceedings without any further reference.

Khairudin Rahim
Former CEO 4As Malaysia
(July 2015-April 2024)