Rafizi Ramli has claimed that his sources in the MACC have tipped him that the commission might carry out a raid against him today over allegations of misappropriating an RM1.11 billion investment during his tenure as a minister.
Prepared for the possibility, the Pandan lawmaker stressed he is no stranger to intimidation tactics and had a pointed message for Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki.
“I want to tell Anwar and Azam - I am a veteran when it comes to being arrested, raided, or put in lockup, I’m ready to go through it all again if he dares to try,” he told a press conference.
On a lighter note, Rafizi revealed that he had asked his wife to tidy up the house ahead of a potential MACC raid.
“I have also made sure that all my underwear is in order. You haven’t been locked up, so you wouldn’t understand,” he added.
Asked if MACC have contacted him, the former economy minister said there has been no communication, but quipped: “You have to take my answer with a pinch of salt because I don’t pick up the phone.
“I don’t have WhatsApp, I don’t answer calls, so I’m probably one of the hardest people to reach in Malaysia.”
‘Thoughtless move’
Elaborating on the possible raid, he said, “I don’t know when or how, but I was informed. We all have friends… We all have friends everywhere. Even in MACC and the police, there are people who sympathise. So I was informed to be ready.”
Claiming he has no qualms about donning lockup attire again, Rafizi is hopeful the authorities would reconsider implicating him over Malaysia’s agreement with UK-based semiconductor design firm Arm Holdings, warning it is bound to backfire.
“Because it’s sure to become news worldwide. The last time they did that was during the 1MDB era. It became international news. Now, even more so, because the allegation is related to Malaysia’s government agreements with international companies,” he said.
Explaining that the Arm Holdings matter went through the cabinet and that the funds were under the Investment, Trade, and Industry Ministry - not the Economy Ministry, which he headed - Rafizi called any attempt to implicate him nothing short of a “thoughtless move”.
“Maybe it is just to intimidate me, or perhaps it’s a perception war to give ammunition to critics to say, ‘look, Rafizi is corrupt’,” he added.
Rafizi also recounted past attempts to intimidate him.
“I would like to put on record that I have been approached before with intimidation – people saying, ‘We have a case against you. If this goes out, it won’t look good for you publicly.’
“So I asked them, ‘What case?’ They said, ‘Someone bribed you?’ I said, ‘How? I didn’t even receive any money. How could I be bribed?’ Then they showed some kind of proof. The proof was an invoice for paying a bribe, issued to me.
“So I asked, ‘Who in the world issues an invoice for a bribe?’”
‘Nothing to hide’
Challenging MACC to do their “worst”, Rafizi said he is prepared to be arrested because he has nothing to hide.
“Search everything. I’m sure my bank account is already being monitored all the time, and they will see that most of the transactions are just my kid ordering GrabFood – that’s the bulk of it.
“So, if there really is a case and I am involved in corruption, I mean, let me ask the public: If I had something to hide and wanted to keep it secret, why would I resign (as minister)? It would be in my best interest to stay in government and bow to Anwar forever,” he added.
Rafizi said Malaysia has long witnessed intimidation tactics and fabrication of cases against political rivals, often failing to succeed.
“In the end, the truth will always come out, and the people will pass judgment.
“So if it means we have to go through it again, based on my experience with 1MDB, Felda, and Tabung Haji, I can tell you – being locked up for two or three days, handcuffed and all, is worth it.
“It’s worth it for matters as important as these for the people, because we are MPs… Yes, it’s inconvenient – accounts frozen, this and that. But at least we have recourse. We can defend ourselves.
“But if it happens to ordinary people who haven’t harmed anyone, and suddenly someone wants to take their property, no one will listen. You will just be crushed and forgotten. That’s why, if we have to go through it again, I think it’s worth it. So if you dare, go ahead and try,” he added.
Report against Rafizi
Earlier, Malaysiakini reported that a coalition of NGOs had lodged a MACC report against Rafizi, alleging possible misappropriation in an RM1.1 billion investment during his ministerial tenure.
MACC deputy chief commissioner (operations) Ahmad Khusairi Yahaya said the commission will examine the entirety of the report to determine whether there are elements of corruption, misappropriation, or abuse of power under the MACC Act 2009.
He added that follow-up actions, including scrutinising documents and evidence, will be conducted before further investigation proceeds, in line with the commission's commitment to integrity and transparency.
A Bernama report yesterday also quoted a source stating that the complainants suspect the former senior minister and ministry officials were involved in the matter.
“Furthermore, it is alleged that there are doubts regarding the negotiation and approval processes, which reportedly did not fully involve the relevant ministries and agencies, such as the Finance Ministry and the Investment, Trade, and Industry Ministry,” the source said.
Additionally, the complainants reported several issues that could potentially create a perception of a conflict of interest. - Mkini
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