FORMER economy minister Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli has kickstarted his Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) questioning into the RM1.1 bil ARM Ltd semiconductor industry investment deal yesterday (May 4) without the presence of an attorney – a practice he intends to maintain in subsequent sessions.
This is despite ”lawyers old and young” led by former Court of Appeal judge and Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission chairman Datuk Yaacob Md Sam showing up at the graft buster agency’s headquarters (HQ) in Putrajaya yesterday to render him moral support.
When met upon his arrival at 9.45am, the Pandan MP reiterated that he has nothing to hide and that his legal team was ready if the case went to the courts.
“I’ll go in for my statement without my lawyers because I’ve nothing to hide,” a seemingly jovial Rafizi told media personnel.
“I’m confident there won’t be any need to refer to my lawyer either and if the decision by MACC is to charge, then we’ll proceed to the defence in court. If it ends in court, then I’m confident we’ve a strong case.”
‘Nothing to hide’
Rafizi who left the MACC premises at 6.40pm having endured more than eight hours of quizzing related that the inquiry process proceeded smoothly and that he had given his full cooperation to investigators.
“It was a normal investigation process; they ask, we answer. I gave my full cooperation and the process was smooth, it was just lengthy,” revealed the former PKR #2 who vacated his ministerial portfolio soon after losing his deputy presidency to Nurul Izzah Anwar in May 2025.
Nevertheless, a calm and media-friendly Rafizi confirmed that questioning would resume tomorrow at 10am and did not rule out the possibility that it could continue over several days.
“I’ve to come back tomorrow at 10am. I don’t rule out the possibility that it might take a few more days; we don’t know how many more questions there are,” he quipped.
Editor’s Note: Recount that Rafizi’s former aide Chai Jin Shern a.k.a. James Chai was questioned for three consecutive days upon his return from the UK over eight-hour sessions starting April 28 to assist in the same investigation.
Apart from Chai who is deemed to be a key witness, the MACC which commenced its investigation into the Arm Holdings plc deal on Feb 13 following reports from some NGOs is believed to have recorded statements from at least 22 witnesses to-date.
In addition to thanking those who showed up to lend moral support, Rafizi also had in his company PKR lawmakers from his “Hiruk” camp, namely Wong Chen (Subang), Rodziah Ismail (Ampang), Zahir Hassan (Wangsa Maju), Datuk Muhammad Bakhtiar Wan Chik (Balik Pulau) and Chean Chung (Petaling Jaya).
Below is his social media re-cap pf what transpired yesterday (May 4):
The interrogation started at 10am and continued until around 6:40pm. It stopped for my zohor prayers and I requested for the interrogation to continue as a working lunch.
It will resume again tomorrow starting at 10 am. I cannot share or comment on the content of the interrogation. That’s the regulation under the MACC Act 2009.
I’ve these words as a reminder to myself and everyone in the room:
“We’re all trying to do our job. Government officials are only following orders and doing their job. But we’re also Muslims. There is a line that we need to draw in balancing the demands of our duties and responsibilities as Muslims.” – Focus Malaysia
Editor’s Note: The MACC investigation centres on allegations that the Arm Holdings plc deal inked in March 2025 which was intended to bolster Malaysia’s semiconductor design capabilities was signed in haste without proper approvals from the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI) and the Finance (MOF).
Rafizi has denied that the deal which was to enable Malaysian companies access to ARM’s intellectual property for AI chip design and production over a 10-year period was rushed given it went through three cabinet meetings chaired by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim who later launched the deal.
Henceforth, if there were any irregularities in the agreement, PMX should also be quizzed as he himself had publicly championed the partnership and authorised its re-tabling to the Cabinet.
Moreover, the deal was backed by a committee comprising himself, former MITI minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz and Second Finance Minister Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah.
The case is being investigated under Section 23 of the MACC Act 2009 which deals with the offence of abuse of position or authority for gratification.
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