Malaysia’s former economy minister Rafizi Ramli has renewed his attack on Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s reformist agenda, alleging that anti-corruption officers targeted candidates who challenged the leader’s daughter in internal party polls earlier this year.
In an episode of his Yang Berhenti Menteri (The Minister Who Quit) podcast streamed on Friday, the Pandan MP and former Anwar ally alleged that the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) had investigated several contenders for the People’s Justice Party (PKR) deputy presidency who ran against Nurul Izzah Anwar – a race he ultimately lost to her.
“During the recent PKR election, in May, actually there were many PKR candidates who were detained by the MACC. Usually the ones who went against Nurul Izzah,” he said during the podcast. “I don’t care any more, I’ll just say it now.”
Advertisement
Rafizi, the PKR’s former chief strategist who still commands wide grass roots support, recounted one case involving a prominent Selangor figure aligned with him.
The individual had been investigated over the cash purchase of a 30,000 ringgit (US$7,303) auctioned home, he said, claiming MACC officers had surrounded the man’s house and frightened his wife and children. The candidate later cooperated fully and was released without detention.
Advertisement