KUALA LUMPUR (March 25): PKR vice-president Datuk Seri R Ramanan’s news conference on Wednesday turned into a bashing session against Datuk Seri Mohd Rafizi Ramli midway through, as he derided his party colleague.
Ramanan questioned Rafizi’s motives at a time when Malaysia has been rocked by new allegations surrounding the ‘corporate mafia’ scandal. He painted Rafizi as a "coward" while disparaging his achievement during his time as a Cabinet minister.
He alleged that Rafizi is now deploying a "dirty narrative" aimed at destabilising the party and the government.
WATCH: Ramanan calls Rafizi’s motives, integrity into question
In response, Rafizi said he has seen the press conference called by Ramanan, who is also the human resources minister, and he will provide a reaction later in the evening.
Ramanan was addressing fresh allegations made on Tuesday by Victor Chin Boon Long, a businessman accused of being part of a group dubbed by Bloomberg as the ‘corporate mafia’ involved in a scheme to seize control of listed companies.
Chin claimed an executive director of HeiTech Padu Bhd (KL:HTPADU), whom he identified only as Mr R, acted as a middleman of the gang. He has also denied being part of the corporate mafia while describing himself as a victim repeatedly.
On Wednesday, Ramanan charged that Rafizi is lending credibility to cybertroopers in their attempt to link him to a RM9.5 million payment from Chin while questioning government enforcement agencies such as the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, police and Bank Negara Malaysia.
“I am confused because he looks like he is the one who protects the corporate mafia,” Ramanan said. “He says government agencies are wrong…what is his agenda?”
Ramanan added that he is also disappointed that Rafizi bypassed proper internal party channels, adding that it has been "his nature from the beginning".