Bersih chairperson Maria Chin Abdullah has sent a letter of demand to Sungai Besar Umno division chief Jamal Md Yunos, giving him 48 hours to apologise or face legal action.

This is for defamatory remarks she says Jamal made at a press conference last month, that Islamic State (IS) operatives have infiltrated Bersih and that it would topple the government by surrounding places such as KLIA1, KLIA2 and the Prime Minister's Department.

Maria's lawyer Melissa Sasidaran said the letter was issued by the firm of Daim & Gamany and faxed to Jamal's office today.

“It is a well-known fact that our client is the chairperson of the Bersih steering committee and organiser of Bersih 5.

“The statements above are completely false, malicious and defamatory. The defamatory statements are calculated to injure our client's reputation and a blatant attempt to mislead the public on a matter of national interest,” Melissa said.

The two-page letter demands that Jamal publishes a full withdrawal and apologises to Maria.

“He should also provide a written undertaking to not further publish any defamatory statements."

The letter stated that legal proceedings will commence if Jamal fails to comply with the demands within 48 hours.

Jamal, who is also the leader of the red shirts group, made the allegations at a press conference held on Sept 28, and he also lodged a police report at Bukit Aman today on the alleged Bersih-IS link.