PKR vice-president R Ramanan accused former party deputy president Rafizi Ramli of backing allegations linking him with a RM9.5 million payment from businessperson Victor Chin.
In a scathing salvo, Ramanan claimed that Rafizi had weaponised cybertroopers to further such allegations as the former economy minister harboured an “evil agenda to split the party”.
He also described Rafizi as someone who could “sell ice to Eskimos”.
“I am not a scared person. I have been quiet for a long time, but when the party is attacked like this, I can no longer keep my silence,” the human resources minister told a press conference at his Sungai Buloh parliamentary service centre today.
“He (Rafizi) is a failed minister - what are his successes? Padu? Vending machines? To me, he is a coward - he knew that he failed, so he quickly resigned, and now he is criticising and lambasting people to show that he is the greatest.”
Rafizi is known as a staunch critic of Ramanan’s credibility, with the Pandan MP making it clear that there is no love lost between them.
Mr R
Yesterday, in a 40-page document detailing a chronology of events surrounding his alleged issues with the “corporate mafia”, Chin said a PKR MP had asked him to arrange RM10 million in cash to resolve the businessperson’s problems.
Claiming he paid RM9.5 million of that sum on Oct 18 last year, Chin threatened to expose the lawmaker’s identity if the funds were not returned by March 30.
He said this was because the MP failed to deliver on any of the promised resolutions.
Following Chin’s claims, social media users had speculated on Ramanan’s involvement, pointing to Chin’s mention of an intermediary, whom he referred to as “Mr R”.
However, Chin also appeared to distinguish between the unidentified PKR MP, who allegedly solicited RM10 million, and “Mr R”, whom the businessperson said acted as an intermediary and worked closely with the “corporate mafia”.
The great Rafizi
Ramanan today argued that while Chin’s allegations regarding the “corporate mafia” have yet to be verified, Rafizi appeared to have “decided” that the businessperson was telling the truth.
“How does he (Rafizi) know whether (Chin’s claims) are true or not? Not a shred of paper has been given as evidence, nor have any facts been determined, (but) Rafizi has passed judgment that yes, it exists.
“The great Rafizi has already determined this is all factual - does he have any evidence, or does he know something that we are not aware of?” Ramanan pressed.
Last week, Rafizi warned that the government could be hit with another series of “explosive leaks” if it only targets Chin over the “corporate mafia” allegations, with the former minister advising those in Putrajaya, Bukit Aman, and the MACC to “be careful”.
When asked if he had spoken with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim regarding his apparent grievances with Rafizi, Ramanan alluded that there is no need to highlight such matters to the party president.
“I don’t have to speak to him (Anwar) - I’m the party vice-president… with the current state of the world economy, the prime minister has got bigger things to worry about than this.
“We just finished Hari Raya - I think this was the best time to launch (these allegations) by finding something sensational when the tide is low so a tsunami can be created, (but) don’t worry - we will block that tsunami,” Ramanan affirmed.
Last month, Bloomberg named Chin as part of a network of businesspeople who allegedly colluded with the MACC to stage corporate takeovers of rivals.
However, Chin has said that any investigations into the allegations must cover the “roles and conduct” of the MACC and police, adding that he supports the calls for a royal commission of inquiry (RCI).
He also argued that he has been victimised and “cornered by the mafia”, which he claimed has leveraged on government agencies. - Mkini
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