PKR vice-president Rafizi Ramli today had his statements recorded at the Dang Wangi district police station in relation to investigations over allegations made against Lembaga Tabung Haji (TH).

Speaking to reporters later, Rafizi however said his statements were recorded under Sections 500 and 203 of the Penal Code as witness, instead of suspect.

"They (police) all know that I have never given my statements in any (past) investigations where I was called in as a suspect.

"When I looked at their questions (today) and the documents they showed me, those were the ones I had revealed. I doubt there was any other party that had made similar comments (against Tabung Haji)," said Rafizi, adding that he exercised his right to remain silent during the session which lasted over an hour.

Section 500 relates to the offence of criminal defamation while Section 203 deals with the spreading of false information.

Rafizi said the police would have acted "mischievously" ( nakal ) if they intended to encourage his response as a witness, only to later use the information to frame a charge against him.

"They said they are questioning me as a witness but based on my previous experiences of being questioned, it was quite clear that their questions were meant for a suspect," he said.

Tabung Haji had on Feb 28 lodged a police report against Rafizi for alleging that the pilgrimage fund had made almost RM1 billion in corporate guarantees to troubled associate company TH Heavy Engineering Bhd (THHE).

Aside from his exposes related to the supposed corporate guarantee issued by Tabung Haji, Rafizi also said he was questioned on his statements related to the pilgrimage fund's reserves.

"If they are investigating me on this (TH's reserves), they should also call the Bank Negara governor because my statements were based on the letter from Bank Negara to Tabung Haji," he pointed out.

On Jan 26, Bank Negara reportedly confirmed it had sent advisory notices to Tabung Haji on its risk management practices.

'Ball in Tabung Haji's court'

Commenting further, Rafizi insisted that the ball is now in Tabung Haji's court and he would not stop raising more questions on the fund's financial status.

"What is most important, Tabung Haji leadership must understand this is about market and depositor's confidence.

"The more you use the police and the authorities, supposedly to intimidate, frighten and silence people who goes through your official financial statements, it would send all the wrong signals to further weaken markets and depositors confidence," he stressed.

Rafizi was accompanied by lawyer Faizal Rahman.

Tabung Haji's top management has so far denied all allegations made against them and reassured depositors that their funds are safe.