No NFA yet for probe into attack on Rafizi's son - Saifuddin

Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail has said he would not order the investigation into the attack on Pandan MP Rafizi Ramli’s son to be discontinued or marked as no further action (NFA).

He explained that whether the case would eventually be classified as NFA depended solely on the evidence gathered by the police.

"The most important thing is that when an incident occurs, and a police report is made, it is the police's primary duty to carry out an investigation. This will be conducted continuously, and its progress depends on any new leads that are discovered.

"Whether it is classified as NFA or otherwise, I leave it to the professionalism of the police team," he was quoted as saying by the New Straits Times.

Saifuddin (above, left) stressed that he had no intentions to issue conclusive directives, as it could interfere with investigations, especially if new evidence emerges.

In August last year, Rafizi’s then 12-year-old son was stabbed with a syringe at a Putrajaya mall car park.

Following the attack, Rafizi’s wife received a chilling text message that read: “Diam! Andai teruskan, AIDS!” (Shut up! If you continue, AIDS!), punctuated with three syringe emojis.

Rafizi later insinuated that the attack may have been related to a meeting he had with whistleblowers concerning Farhash Wafa Salvador Rizal Mubarak, a former aide to the prime minister.

Rejected request

On Jan 30, the former economy minister said on Facebook that he would personally write to the government and urge authorities to discontinue investigations if the probe into his son’s attack had reached a dead end.

His remarks came in response to Saifuddin rejecting his request for details on the investigation be updated and confirmed publicly.

In a written parliamentary reply dated Jan 27, the home minister reasoned that his rejection of Rafizi’s request was to avoid disrupting investigations.

“An open confirmation (of details) in the Dewan Rakyat, there is concern that this will disrupt the process of tracing the suspect and can jeopardise the safety of key witnesses. As such, the request can't be fulfilled," Saifuddin said.

However, the minister assured that justice would be upheld and that the Home Ministry or police would eventually provide a public update.

Not surprised

Rafizi said last week that his family had come to terms with what had happened and was not surprised by Saifuddin’s “administrative reply”.

He noted that Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim had issued an immediate statement following the attack, urging the authorities to investigate the matter transparently.

However, with the authorities unable to complete the investigations after six months, the former PKR deputy president said it was best for him to request a discontinuation to save Anwar’s face.

Nevertheless, Rafizi also warned that, ultimately, those with power would be held accountable by the voters.

“It’s not my son who has to defend his reputation among the public.

“The ones who will be held accountable are the top people. One day, voters will respond accordingly,” he said.

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