KUALA LUMPUR: PKR vice-president Rafizi Ramli has been urged to reveal whether he still stands by his view that former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad was a corrupt politician.
Blogger Lim Sian See made the request following Rafizi’s announcement that he will lodge a report with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) against Pas for allegedly receiving funds from 1Malaysia Development Bhd.
In a statement yesterday, Lim said he was touched by Rafizi’s recent statement, in which he said he would leave it to Allah and the people to judge his actions against Pas.
“(Rafizi said) the people have a right to receive real information about the intentions and position of every political party regarding misappropriation (of funds), so that they can make (an informed) decision at the ballot box,” he said.
But by the same token, Lim asks Rafizi whether he still insists that Dr Mahathir’s RM20 million house in Country Heights, and his children’s wealth, are the result of corrupt practices.
Lim cited a video of a speech made by Rafizi, prior to the 13th General Election in 2013, in which he claimed it was impossible for Tun Mahathir to have amassed his wealth if he is not corrupt.
“Dr Mahathir, in his blog, said he lives comfortably because he saved up his monthly salary... but the most he can save (throughout his tenure as prime minister) is RM750,000.
“His house in Country Heights is worth RM20 million, and his children, Mirzan and Mokhzani, are listed as (among the) richest people in the country.
“It’s impossible for Dr Mahathir to have such wealth, and for his children to become famous millionaires, if he did not take bribes,” Rafizi claimed in the video.
Lim said he hopes Rafizi would clarify whether he still stands by his views on Tun Mahathir, or whether he was “just joking”.
“Rafizi’s explanation is very important, because, like he said, the people have the right to receive real information,” Lim added.
Tun Mahathir’s new party, Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia, recently signed an electoral pact with Pakatan Harapan, which comprises PKR, DAP and Parti Amanah Negara, to ensure straight fights against Barisan Nasional in the 14th general election.
Rafizi recently claimed that “a certain individual” close to the Pas leadership had received funds from 1MDB, and that he will lodge a report with the MACC today on the matter.