PETALING JAYA — PKR vice-president Datuk Seri R. Ramanan has called on former economy minister Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli to cease what he described as misleading the public and instead fully cooperate with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) in its ongoing probe into a RM1.1bil government deal. The probe centers on the awarding of contracts to Rafizi’s acquaintances, according to Ramanan.

Focus on Contract Awarding, Not Amount

Ramanan emphasized that the issue is not about whether Rafizi personally received the RM1.1bil, but whether the contracts were awarded to his associates. ‘That needs to be answered with facts,’ he said during a media meeting after officiating at a Human Resources Ministry event in Sungai Buloh on Saturday (March 7).

He criticized Rafizi for making ‘incorrect claims or accusations’ and warned against ‘spinning stories’ or hurling allegations against the government or PKR. ‘Do not think you can slander the president (Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim) or the party (PKR). We also have limits to our patience,’ Ramanan added.

Accusations of Political Drama

Ramanan also took issue with Rafizi’s frequent criticisms of the government and Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. ‘Lately, it has become a drama. Everything the government does is deemed wrong while everything he does is deemed right,’ he said. ‘He was the economy minister before this. The people also have the right to judge what his actual achievements were.’

Ramanan’s comments come amid mounting pressure on Rafizi to clarify his role in the RM1.1bil deal, which has sparked public and political scrutiny. The MACC has summoned a former minister and 11 others, including officials from the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (Mida), to provide statements regarding the matter.

MACC Probe Underway

On Wednesday (March 4), MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki announced that a former minister and 11 others were called to give statements over the RM1.1bil deal with a foreign company. As of March 5, Rafizi had not yet been summoned to provide his statement, according to reports.

The investigation is part of a broader effort by MACC to scrutinize high-profile government contracts and ensure transparency in public spending. The RM1.1bil deal has raised questions about potential conflicts of interest and the integrity of the decision-making process involved in awarding such contracts.

Ramanan’s remarks underscore the political and legal challenges facing Rafizi, who remains a prominent figure in Malaysian politics despite his resignation as economy minister. The outcome of the MACC probe could have significant implications for his political future and the credibility of PKR.

Analysts suggest that the case highlights the ongoing struggle for accountability in Malaysian governance, with the public increasingly demanding transparency in government dealings. The probe also adds to the pressure on Anwar Ibrahim’s administration to demonstrate its commitment to anti-corruption measures.

With the MACC expected to release further details in the coming weeks, the situation remains under close watch by both the public and political observers. The resolution of the case could influence public trust in the government and the effectiveness of anti-corruption institutions.