Govt, opposition close ranks over assault on Rafizi's son

New Straits Times

3 days ago

KUALA LUMPUR: Members of parliament from both sides of the divide today expressed solidarity in condemning the attack on the son of former economy minister Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli at a shopping mall in Putrajaya yesterday.
Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun (PH–Port Dickson), speaking at a press conference in Parliament, described the incident as an act of violence that went beyond the bounds of humanity.
The Negri Sembilan menteri besar said that, in a democratic country, differences of opinion should never be resolved through threats or violence, especially when children are involved.
"We fully support Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's statement that the law must be upheld without compromise.
"No one should escape firm action if proven to be involved," he said.
Present were other government MPs, including Subang MP Wong Chen, P. Prabakaran (Batu), Tan Kar Hing (Gopeng), Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh (Ledang), Dr Taufiq Johari (Sungai Petani), Datuk Muhammad Bakhtiar Wan Chik (Balik Pulau) and Hassan Abdul Karim (Pasir Gudang).
At the same time, the opposition bloc, in a separate press conference, also condemned the attack.
Opposition leader Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainuddin (PN–Larut) said the opposition also stood behind Rafizi and his family.
"I wish to make it clear that opposition MPs will stand together on this matter to ensure not only that Rafizi, but also his family, are safe and that such incidents do not recur," he said.
Among opposition MPs present were Datuk Mas Ermieyati Samsudin (Masjid Tanah), Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan (Kota Bharu), Datuk Seri Saifuddin Abdullah (Indera Mahkota), Datuk Seri Dr Ronald Kiandee (Beluran) and Wan Ahmad Fayshal Wan Ahmad Kamal (Machang).
Yesterday, Rafizi confirmed that his son was attacked and injected with a syringe at a shopping mall in Putrajaya.
The Pandan MP added that checks revealed that two men on a motorcycle had been following his wife's car prior to the attack.
Selangor police chief Datuk Shazeli Kahar said authorities are tracking down the two individuals.
Shazeli added that actions have been taken, including obtaining and reviewing closed-circuit television footage from the scene.
Rafizi today also revealed that his wife received two threatening messages via WhatsApp, the first at 1.12am and the second at 11.02am.
He believed that the attack on his son may be linked to a meeting he had last week with a group of whistleblowers regarding a scandal.
However, he declined to disclose details of the scandal.