Jamal: My friend, Rafizi, sponsored the helicopter

© Provided by MToday News Sdn Bhd jamal-rafizi

PETALING JAYA: Sungai Besar Umno division chief Jamal Md Yunos’ helicopter ride around PKR Ampang Youth chief Adam Rosly’s bungalow, was sponsored by a friend named “Rafizi”.

Jamal said this in response to PKR lawmaker Zuraida Kamaruddin, who in the Dewan Rakyat yesterday, questioned his wealth and ability to take several journalists on the “silly little” trip.

“Rafizi, that’s all I can say. My friend Rafizi sponsored it,” said Jamal, refusing to divulge the full name of the said friend.

When asked on Zuraida’s query over the “fast-tracked” approval he received for the trip, the Red Shirts leader gave a simple reply:

“I don’t know. Ask Rafizi.”

This was not the first time Jamal had cited a “Rafizi”. In Oct, Jamal in a police report stated that Rafizi was one of the “sources” who had provided him with documents purportedly showing that electoral watchdog Bersih 2.0 had been infiltrated by the Islamic State (IS) militant group.

PKR secretary-general Rafizi Ramli, however, vehemently denied being the said source, or even having any ties with Jamal.

“I’ve never known Jamal, have never spoken to Jamal, have no relations with Jamal, have never exchanged blows with Jamal, and have never eaten Jamal’s ikan bakar,” he said in a statement.

Jamal had organised the helicopter ride in less than 24 hours, and said it was meant to show the “questionable” wealth of the 28-year-old Adam.

“Adam is very successful and we are questioning how he acquired his wealth.

“We don’t know who he is and what he is working as. We were informed that he is only a SPM leaver,” Jamal said at a press conference outside Adam’s house after the helicopter ride.

Zuraida in an immediate reaction, brought the matter to the Dewan Rakyat’s attention, and suggested that the authorities may have had a hand in approving the trip.

She then questioned Transport Minister Liow Tiong Lai on the procedure and the normal notice period for an individual to fly a commercial helicopter over someone else’s house.

Liow said he had no information on the matter.

Jamal’s wealth has been questioned in recent months especially after an Umno division meeting in Sungai Besar on Aug 31, where he had announced a RM1,000 gift to each of the 600 delegates present that day.

According to Jamal, the money came from his “generous friends” who often sponsored about RM10,000 to RM50,000 for such meetings.