'This is intimidation': Rafizi vows to stay course after attack on son

Summary

• Rafizi says he and his family will not alter their course despite the attack on his son yesterday.

• However, the Pandan MP admits they will have to live with heightened security until further assessment and advice from the police.

Former minister Rafizi Ramli reaffirmed today that the attack on his son was an act of intimidation linked to his duties as an MP, vowing that neither he nor his family will alter their course.

Accompanied by PKR MPs in Parliament, Rafizi thanked the public for their support and well-wishes, noting that his family remains in good condition.

“I will say this clearly - this is an act of intimidation. Messages (threats) continued to be sent afterwards.

“I have informed the police, and in my view, this is related to my duties as an MP and as a politician,” he said.

He added that despite the incident, life for his family will continue as normal.

“If my wife has to take care of the cats, she will take care of the cats. I will also continue with my daily routine,” said Rafizi with a wry smile.

Joint decisions

As a family, Rafizi said decisions are made jointly with his wife, and so far, there is no intention to change their stance.

“We’ve gone through all this over the last 15 years. This time it’s different because it involves our child, but my wife and son have been through this multiple times - including when I was faced with possible imprisonment.

“If the planners think this will make me change course, it will not,” he stressed.

At one point, Rafizi appeared emotional, prompting other PKR MPs to pat his back in support.

Following yesterday’s attack in broad daylight at a shopping mall parking lot in Putrajaya, Rafizi said all necessary security measures have been taken, but urged the authorities to be given full space to conduct their investigations.

He further said he has always resisted the idea that his family should live by different rules because of his public role.

“My wife isn’t publicly recognised, I rarely appear with my wife or son, and I have no security detail. I go jogging on my own and do everything by myself,” he said.

However, he acknowledged that the family would now have to live with heightened security for a while.

“In politics, I have been one of the most adamant in defending privacy. Being a politician is my job, and I should be able to live a normal life.

“But after this incident, we have made all our arrangements, and we have to live with heightened security until further assessment and advice from the police,” he said.

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