Rafizi: Second raid on Invoke by MACC today, Customs Dept later

 

The MACC has conducted a second raid this morning on Invoke Solutions Sdn Bhd, a company founded by PKR deputy president Rafizi Ramli, while the Customs Department has also sent notice that it will do the same.

Speaking at a press conference in PKR headquarters in Petaling Jaya today, he said the company is fully complying with the investigations.

However, he stressed that it is a political persecution meant to turn the sentiments against Pakatan Harapan before polling day on Nov 19.

“As we speak, the MACC is conducting a second raid on my office in Invoke. I understand what is happening.

“I think BN also understands that they will lose in the general election so, in the last two or three days of the campaign, they are desperate to find political ammo.

“Because I am on the frontlines of (the Harapan) election campaign against Umno, BN and PN, I understand that the motive of this investigation is that they are hoping to find something before polling day with which to attack me and sway public support,” said Rafizi, who is also the candidate for Pandan.

Ledgers seized

He said the MACC seized the companies documents and ledgers "from day one".

"This is a good opportunity for the MACC to learn about start-ups and company valuation," he quipped.

"They want the directors' current account in the company, and I can tell the public and (MACC chief) Azam Baki that they will be shocked to find I have not taken a single sen from the company from day one, but it is my money that the company still owes," he said.

PKR deputy president Rafizi Ramli

The MACC seized several documents from the Invoke office yesterday and detained the staff for questioning at the office for up to seven hours.

MACC senior director of investigation Hishamuddin Hashim confirmed the 11.30am raid to Utusan Malaysia, calling it a "routine procedure".

According to him, no statements were taken from any individual during the raid. Instead, only explanation regarding the seized documents was acquired, he reportedly told the daily.

He further confirmed that the raid was in connection with the police report lodged by an NGO over his assets declaration, in which he declared net assets worth RM18.85 million.

An attack on the aspirations of young people

Meanwhile, Rafizi said the raids are likely to backfire against BN because it will not sit well with young voters.

He said this is because Invoke is a company that stands for the aspirations of young people.

"Umno doesn't understand this. It resonates with the young ones, where a 23-year-old can run a company.

"It is an attack on the aspiration of young people who want plenty of opportunities where they don't need to be salaried employees but can run their own companies and get investments from overseas.

"The more they want to intimidate, the more the campaign will reverberate among the young voters," he said.

He added this issue could also attract young voters towards Harapan, "to not just cross the 100-seat mark but hopefully get a simple majority" in Parliament. - Mkini