Stepping back means they win, Rafizi remains defiant

Amid calls for him to take a break, Rafizi Ramli has vowed to press on, declaring that stepping aside would only reward those behind the attack on his 12-year-old son.

“Some have suggested that I take a short break, but life and responsibilities must go on,” the Pandan MP wrote in a Facebook post, reaffirming his refusal to bow to threats.

“It’s not that I am heartless or putting politics above everything else right now, but the aim of the threats against my family is to make me give up and stay silent. If I stop following my usual routine and duties, then they will have achieved their goal,” he said.

Tonight, Rafizi will address the assault during his podcast with PKR’s Ampang MP Rodziah Ismail and an education activist, where they will also discuss the wider culture of bullying - a growing concern following the recent death of 13-year-old student Zara Qairina Mahathir in Sabah.

Tomorrow, he is scheduled to proceed with his mobile counter at the Taman Muda morning market and meet residents in his Pandan constituency.

Two days ago, the nation was jolted by news that Rafizi’s son had been stabbed with a syringe by unidentified assailants clad in black and wearing full-face helmets at a mall car park in Putrajaya. The incident happened when Rafizi, his wife, and son were entering their vehicle.

Rafizi revealed that his son will need regular medical tests to determine if any harmful substance was injected. 

Calling it a premeditated attack, the PKR MP linked it to a meeting with whistleblowers providing him with information on a “certain individual” whom he did not name.

Farhash denies link

Today, Malaysiakini reported that Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s former aide, Farhash Wafa Salvador Rizal Mubarak, dismissed attempts to connect him to the attack as “crazy”.

Recently, Rafizi urged the MACC to investigate Farhash after he was implicated in a Sabah mining scandal.

He claimed this was not the first time Farhash had been linked to questionable business dealings, adding that his wealth and influence were a frequent topic of conversation among citizens and businesspeople alike.

“Since Anwar became prime minister, Farhash has suddenly emerged as a prolific businessperson with interests in numerous companies. Some of these companies have reportedly secured large procurement contracts from the government,” he alleged.

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