Anwar orders ‘transparent’ probe of syringe attack on ex-minister’s son
A man had dragged his son away and stabbed him with a syringe
[KUALA LUMPUR] Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has called for a “transparent and swift investigation” after former minister Rafizi Ramli said his son had been attacked with a syringe at a mall parking lot on Wednesday (Aug 13) afternoon.
Rafizi said a man had dragged his son away and stabbed his son with a syringe as his wife and the boy were about to enter their car and leave a mall in Putrajaya, the country’s administrative capital.
The assault was premeditated – a warning that was meant to silence him, he said.
His wife received two threatening messages after the incident, according to Rafizi. The messages read: “Shut up, if you continue, AIDS.” The second text, via WhatsApp, was followed by three syringe emojis, the lawmaker said at a press briefing in Kuala Lumpur.
It would take another six months to determine whether the substance injected into the boy was viral in nature, he said.
Since resigning from his post as economy minister in June, Rafizi has been critical of the government despite being a member of the ruling party. He had called for a royal inquiry into alleged interference in the judiciary, and more recently criticised the education minister for encouraging school children to chant happy birthday and express their love to the prime minister.
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The attack on Rafizi’s son was malicious and deceitful, Anwar said in a post on Facebook late Wednesday, adding that he had contacted Home Affairs Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail on the matter.
“Checks showed that two men on a motorcycle had followed my wife’s car,” Rafizi said in a statement late Wednesday. “In my opinion, they had planned the attack in advance.”
The two men, who were dressed in black and wore full-face helmets, had been waiting for the right time to assault his son, Rafizi said. The boy was taken to the hospital for treatment and a police report was lodged. Local media, including the Star, reported that he’s 12 years old.
“God willing, while I will take further steps to increase security, I will not succumb to any threats and will continue to carry out my duties as usual,” the former minister said.
Home Affairs Minister Saifuddin said on Wednesday that the police have been mobilised to conduct a thorough investigation to identify and bring those responsible to justice.
“The investigation will be conducted fairly and in accordance with the law, without regard to anyone’s status or background,” he said in a statement.
Rafizi said he believed the attackers were trying to influence him through his wife and son, and the assault may be related to a meeting he had last week with a group of whistleblowers on a scandal.
For now, they are ruling out that the substance injected into his son was poison or drugs, he said.
“My son is recovering well, and he’s in good spirits,” Rafizi said. “But of course, we will have to assess him.” BLOOMBERG
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