Police statement on TH given as witness, not suspect: Rafizi

PKR vice-president Rafizi Ramli today had his statements recorded at the Dang Wangi district police station in relation to investigations over allegations made against Lembaga Tabung Haji (TH).

Speaking to reporters later, Rafizi however said his statements were recorded under Sections 500 and 203 of the Penal Code as witness, instead of suspect.

"They (police) all know that I have never given my statements in any (past) investigations where I was called in as a suspect.

"When I looked at their questions (today) and the documents they showed me, those were the ones I had revealed. I doubt there was any other party that had made similar comments (against Tabung Haji)," said Rafizi, adding that he exercised his right to remain silent during the session which lasted over an hour.

Section 500 relates to the offence of criminal defamation while Section 203 deals with the spreading of false information.

Rafizi said the police would have acted "mischievously" (nakal) if they intended to encourage his response as a witness, only to later use the information to frame a charge against him.

Tabung Haji had on Feb 28 lodged a police report against Rafizi for alleging that the pilgrimage fund had made almost RM1 billion in corporate guarantees to troubled associate company TH Heavy Engineering Bhd (THHE).

[More to follow]

-Mkini