Rafizi at Bukit Aman for probe linked to ‘corporate mafia’, minister

Former economy minister Rafizi Ramli is at the Bukit Aman federal police headquarters here to give a statement regarding allegations of a RM9.5 million payment to human resources minister R Ramanan and remarks linked to the so-called corporate mafia.

Rafizi arrived at 10.57am, accompanied by lawyers Nik Zarith Nik Mustapha, Adi Zulkarnain Zulkafli and Wan Ahmad Qushairi Adzmi.

“I have been summoned to give a statement over a ceramah I made in Selayang on Oct 20,” he told reporters.

“The police notice clearly states that the investigation concerns allegations that RM9.5 million was given to Ramanan, as well as remarks relating to a corporate mafia.

“I am going in to give my statement. Any further questions should be directed to the police.”

Rafizi said he was being probed for criminal defamation under Section 500 of the Penal Code, and making statements conducive to public mischief under Section 505 of the Penal Code.

In a Facebook post yesterday, Rafizi said the investigation was launched after a police report lodged two days after he touched on the “corporate mafia” issue, involving the alleged abuse of enforcement powers to pressure businessmen into selling company shares at below-market prices, at the ceramah in Selayang.

He said he also spoke about PKR vice-president Ramanan and Shuhaily Zain’s court case, in which the Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency chief claimed trial to assaulting two police officers at KLIA in September.

The Bersama leader said the latest investigation against him was no different from the probes and court charges brought against him for exposing the 1MDB and Tabung Haji scandals in the past.

Late last month, Rafizi said he planned to sue Ramanan over allegations about him, including claims that he was involved in corruption.