Rafizi: Going after Azam Baki? That’s not what I meant

PKR deputy president Rafizi Ramli clarified that he did not threaten to go after MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki when campaigning in the 15th general election (GE15).

When asked by a reporter on the matter during his maiden presser as minister this morning, Rafizi explained that what he said was merely to serve as a “political sound bite”.

Instead, Rafizi (above, right) said the priority now is to ensure enforcement agencies are independent.

“I don’t think that’s exactly what I said,” he said, referring to threats that he will go after Azam over the latter’s previous alleged shareholding scandal.

“I think it makes ‘political sound bite’ or ‘news bites’ but what I meant was that when the new government takes over, which we have, the priority is to make everything independent.

“Not just him (Azam) or myself. We have to be careful in what we do,” the Economy Minister stated.

On Nov 16, Rafizi said at a Harapan event that Azam must be taken to court over the graft buster’s raid of the former’s company, Invoke Solutions Sdn Bhd.

His remarks courted backlash from various quarters - including former inspector-general of police Musa Hassan, Malaysia Corruption Watch as well as Perikatan Nasional leaders.

They said it was unprofessional for politicians to openly attack civil servants by threatening to take action against them.

On that note, Rafizi said once the nation’s institutions are independent with proper checks and balance mechanisms in place, he hoped everyone can then stay on the right course.

“Let the law take care of itself once we have full independence. That’s a reminder to everyone.”

YOURSAY | Time for govt servants to clean house

Wan Saiful: PM failed to guarantee no 'witch hunt' in civil service

YOURSAY| MACC’s Invoke raid a free promotion for Harapan

Rafizi: Second raid on Invoke by MACC today, Customs Dept later