"Instead of reaching out to me or people close to me, the MACC resorted to a public search, even putting up my childhood home, where my parents currently live, exposing my family to unnecessary danger. This is something I will never forgive.” — James Chai Jin Shern.
KUALA LUMPUR (March 4): James Chai Jin Shern, former aide to Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli, denied allegations of misappropriation or abuse of power in a strongly-worded six-page statement, as he called out the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) for treating him like a fugitive.
The MACC is investigating Chai over his employment with a UK company linked to a government project. MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki said in a press conference on Wednesday that Chai has not returned to Malaysia to give his statement despite multiple attempts to contact him.
“The MACC issued a public search for me, as though I am a fugitive, and Azam even had a press conference about this. He gave the impression that I am hiding like a fugitive. I am not,” Chai, who is currently working in the UK, said.
Chai said he was tasked by Economy Minister Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli to explore the Arm Ltd collaboration to support Malaysia’s semiconductor goals, as he managed the KL20 tech conference in April 2024 and other tech initiatives.
Appointed special functions (policy) officer on Feb 15, 2023, he said he has worked on projects including the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone, Progressive Wage Policy, National Energy Transition Roadmap, People’s Income Initiative, China collaborations, parts of the 13th Malaysia Plan, ministry strategy, as well as speechwriting for Rafizi and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
“Between May 2024 to 5 March 2025, I probably created 20+ Google Slides, 10+ Google Docs, talked to 100+ stakeholders in Government and the industry, to shape the idea of the Collaboration. Feedbacks from other ministries, including the Ministry of Trade and Industry and the Ministry of Finance, were reflected in the final agreement,” he said.
The collaboration was presented to the Cabinet three times, but Chai was not part of this since he was not a minister.
On Feb 28, 2025, Anwar announced that the government would sign an agreement with Arm and subsequently held a video call with its top executives, which Chai did not attend as he was merely an aide.
Chai said after his resignation from the Economy Ministry, with Rafizi’s departure, Arm requested his assistance for a short-term transition period.
“I was reluctant because I was thoroughly exhausted working in government (the Government also made Arm Limited promise to do a lot of things) and I wanted a break. But Arm Limited had no presence in Southeast Asia. They don’t know who to talk to in government and industry, how the government works, what Southeast Asia is like, neither the culture nor the people — they don’t even know how to speak Malay. The resignation was abrupt and unexpected, so it caught everyone off guard, including me. I also felt responsible for the project that I was involved in; Arm Limited must fulfil its obligations so that no public funds are wasted,” he said.
Chai spent two months helping the company set up its office, establish teams, organise training for engineers, meet potential integrated circuit (IC) design partners and raise public awareness before resigning from the role, he said.
He also denied claims that he had been rewarded with an appointment to Arm’s board of directors.
“I did not influence Anwar Ibrahim, the Cabinet, and the entire government machinery to sign the Arm Limited [deal] so I could get a job. I didn’t even know YB Rafizi Ramli was going to resign at that time. Anwar doesn’t even know who I am, let alone be influenced by me,” he said in the statement.
Public search notice excessive, potentially defamatory
Chai criticised the MACC’s move to issue a public search notice on him, saying it was intended to portray him as a fugitive or imply guilt, describing it as “excessive and potentially defamatory”.
Chai, now based in the UK, said the MACC could have reached out to him directly via friends, colleagues, email or social media, as he shared his social media handles.
“Instead of reaching out to me or people close to me, the MACC resorted to a public search, even putting up my childhood home, where my parents currently live, exposing my family to unnecessary danger. This is something I will never forgive,” he said.
Chai said he joined Rafizi’s office despite warnings it could hurt his career because he believes in serving Malaysia and standing up for the underdogs. He added that he feels frustrated and is angry that he’s being targeted despite doing nothing wrong.
He also expressed disappointment that state institutions were being “weaponised” against a private individual like him.
Chai said that the issue extends beyond him personally, claiming it reflects how individuals who “fall on the wrong side of the government” could face consequences regardless of their intentions.
“.. I know that the fight against injustice must continue, however inconvenient and tiring. I know I could have taken a different path, but I will never regret serving my nation — because serving Malaysia still remains the greatest honour of my life. No oppression will change that,” he said.
Read Chai's full statement here.