PKR: We’ve nothing to do with the video

Rafizi Ramli, in dismissing Sharifah's allegation, says the 'listen, listen video' caught the party's attention only after it went viral.

PETALING JAYA: PKR’s strategy director Rafizi Ramli denied that his party was involved in manipulating a 20-minute video as it went viral before it caught the attention of politicians.

“It went viral among the students first,” said Rafizi when asked to comment on Suara Wanita 1Malaysia (SW1M) president, Sharifah Zohra Jabeen’s allegation.

Yesterday, Sharifah accused a political party of doctoring the video to gain support when she offered forgiveness without repentance to UUM law student, KS Bawani.

Both Sharifah and Bawani were featured in that video that showed Sharifah berating Bawani on the issue of free education.

PKR has been in the forefront of advocating free education since last year.

The issue also captured public attention last year when a group of students from various institutes of higher learning demonstrated against PTPTN.

Sharifah merely a tool

PTPTN is an education loan scheme set up by the government to help students pursue their studies in local institutions of higher learning.

Rafizi added that there was no point in PKR engaging with Sharifah on her allegations.

He also said that there is a need for the ‘real culprit’ to own up and clear the air on the whole issue since Sharifah is merely a tool.

“Sharifah has been made a scapegoat. Without approval from the authorities, she would not have been able to hold the forums. UUM and the Higher Education Ministry must explain.”

Sharifah had previously conducted similar forums in Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris in Tanjung Malim, Perak and Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia in Bangi, Selangor.

Rafizi, however, did concede that the ‘listen, listen, listen’ video was detrimental to Barisan Nasional’s chances of winning support of the younger voters.