I'll continue to speak up until my last breath, vows Rafidah

Rafidah Aziz has rebuked Umno information chief Annuar Musa for claiming that the former minister has no locus standi to comment on current issues.

“Don't ever question my 'locus standi' to speak, to comment and air my views,” she said.

“As a Malaysian citizen willing to sacrifice my life for this country, I have a right to speak on what is right, on matters that concern my country.

“I will continue to speak, when it is necessary and appropriate to do so, until the day I die,” she added.

Known as the “Iron Lady” of Malaysian politics, Rafidah, who was a federal minister for more than three decades, said she is only defending the truth.

She denied possessing an ulterior motive or colluding with any particular leader.

“I feel tickled when I hear that certain people think my friend and I are 'looking for positions' and that is the reason we are complaining (meroyan).

“To quote the prime minister, 'meroyan kepala bapak mereka'.

“I'm sorry if there is a copyright to that term used by the prime minister,” she added in reference to Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak using the crude term in his speech at the MCA annual meet last November.

Rafidah also reminded younger leaders to uphold their oath of office taken in the name of God, be it in the government or party, as she had been taught to do so from the beginning.

"Otherwise, there could be dire consequences," she warned.

The former minister also likened her critics to “ostriches with their heads buried in cement or concrete.”

“There are those obsessed with showing support and being in denial until they are likened to an ostrich with its head buried.

“No longer (buried) in the sand, but in cement and concrete until they are unable to lift their heads to see and hear what is really happening around them,” she added. -Mkini