Human Resource Minister Datuk Seri R. Ramanan has challenged former economy minister Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli to produce evidence for his RM9.5 million allegation.
KUALA LUMPUR: PKR vice-president Datuk Seri R. Ramanan has challenged former economy minister Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli to provide evidence for an allegation that he received RM9.5 million from a businessman to resolve issues linked to the so-called “corporate mafia”.
Ramanan, who is also the human resource minister, questioned why supporting documents had yet to be made public, saying the allegation had been circulating for several months.
“He has claimed to have evidence for six or seven months.
“Where is the proof? Has he produced even a single piece of paper?” he told the media after officiating the Human Resources Ministry’s service appreciation ceremony in Kuala Lumpur.
He was responding to Rafizi’s statement on Tuesday that he had yet to receive a writ of summons from Ramanan over the RM9.5 million allegation.
Ramanan also questioned whether pursuing legal action would be worthwhile, saying it could potentially burden members of the public if Rafizi sought donations to cover his legal expenses.
“You want me to sue him? Who would I be burdening? I would be burdening the people if I sued him,” he said.
Comparing the latest controversy with Rafizi’s previous disclosures concerning the National Feedlot Corporation, Ramanan said the earlier case had been accompanied by documents and other supporting material.
“When he exposed the National Feedlot Corporation issue, he had everything, including bank accounts and documents.
“This time, there is not even a single sheet of paper,” he said.
Ramanan further alleged that the “corporate mafia” controversy was being used to divert attention from other issues, including questions surrounding vending machine contracts and allegations involving Rafizi’s political associates.
He invited Rafizi to take legal action if he considered any of Ramanan’s remarks to be false.
“If you don’t like what I am saying, sue me. I am waiting.
“If what I have said is wrong, I challenge him to sue me,” he said.
Ramanan said his priority remained protecting the interests of Malaysia’s 17.34 million workers rather than engaging in political disputes.
“If there is evidence, please reveal it. Do not use these allegations to cover up your failures as a minister,” he said.