Rafizi exits MACC HQ after 9 hours of questioning

 The former economy minister says he will need to return for a second session tomorrow morning.

Former economy minister Rafizi Ramli was summoned to assist in an MACC investigation into a RM1.1 billion government deal with UK-based semiconductor company Arm Holdings.

PUTRAJAYA:

 Former economy minister Rafizi Ramli has left the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission’s headquarters here after spending more than nine hours giving a statement to the graft-busters.

Rafizi had arrived at the MACC headquarters at 9.30am today to assist in an investigation into a RM1.1 billion government deal with UK-based semiconductor company Arm Holdings.

He left the building at 6.50pm.

He told reporters waiting outside that he will return for another round of questioning at 10am tomorrow.

“I gave my full cooperation, but it was a lengthy process,” he said.

This morning, about 50 people had gathered outside the MACC headquarters to show support for him, including PKR’s Subang MP Wong Chen, Petaling Jaya MP Lee Chean Chung, Ampang MP Rodziah Ismail, Wangsa Maju MP Zahir Hassan and Balik Pulau MP Bakthiar Wan Chik.

MACC is investigating alleged misconduct in the strategic partnership agreement between the economy ministry and Arm Holdings.

It interviewed Rafizi’s former officer, James Chai, for three days last week.

The government had committed US$225 million (RM930.52 million) to a four-year partnership with Arm Holdings to lower barriers for Malaysian companies seeking access to its intellectual property and technology. - FMT