Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli is ready to face former premier Najib Abdul Razak’s representatives in his “Yang Bakar Menteri” (YBM) podcast channel.
He also said he would expose the identity of Najib’s main propagandist.
However, Rafizi, who is undergoing medical treatment, said he will need to get Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s views first before proceeding with the idea.
He added that he did not respond to the criticism by Umno supreme council member Mohd Puad Zarkashi or former member Isham Jalil as it may cloud the relationship between the current government and Umno.
“I am open to meeting with them face to face on the podcast after I receive the feedback from Anwar and Zahid. I respect their views for the sake of maintaining the integrity of the Madani government.
“If they don’t have any objections, I will be glad to reveal the true face of the character who has been running the propaganda campaign defending 1MDB all this time, who is hiding behind the name of Lim Sian See.
“The same goes for Isham, even Puad. I am interested in hearing their ideas to help the country navigate the current challenging economic environment.
“However, I should get the feedback of the prime minister and its deputy first. InsyaAllah (God willing), we will know a decision by March,” he posted on Facebook.
The Pandan MP said the YBM podcast will return in March as he is hospitalised due to a health problem.
Previously, Lim challenged Rafizi to meet in the podcast. Isham and Puad are also among the political figures who criticised him, especially on national economics.
Rafizi said he had no problem accepting the trio’s challenge, as he once had challenged Najib to a debate.
He added that not responding to the challenge would give Perikatan Nasional room to attack the government.
“In my career, I have been present and face-to-face in various debates, forums, and others. I even challenged Najib to a debate before the 15th general election.
“Characters like these are often tossed by PN virtual activists when there is not a single leader of virtual PN activists who dares to face me in the YBM podcast.
“I know characters like this exist because they are bringing a certain agenda. They know I am bound by the government’s order, which means I can’t say anything freely as it may reflect on Umno, which is part of the Madani government,” said Rafizi.
The 46-year-old also disclosed his health condition today that has landed him in hospital again five months after suffering a heart attack last October.
He said his latest bout of hospitalisation is due to a slipped disc, caused by pressure on his backbone.
He said his heart attack and overall health took a turn for the worst due to his long-term issues with high cholesterol that required him to undergo an operation at the Universiti Malaya Medical Centre last year, to open up his clogged arteries.
In late January, he said he caught Covid-19 for the first time and was hospitalised; during that time, the weight on his back caused a slipped disc.
“I couldn’t bear the pain and was on a wheelchair. An MRI revealed I had stenosis,” he said.
Stenosis, which means narrowing, can cause pressure on the spinal cord or the nerves that connect the spinal cord to the muscles.
Spinal stenosis can happen in any part of your spine but is most common in the lower back.
Rafizi said the compression from the slipped disc was pinching his nerves from the front and back of his spine, causing the artery to thin due to prolonged pressure.
He said the procedure he underwent cut a part of the ligament and slipped disc to give space for the affected nerve.
He added that the operation went well.
“I can now walk well thanks to the experts at Universiti Putra Malaysia Medical Centre. I will be back at the office in March,” he said.
Earlier today, Anwar Ibrahim said he visited Rafizi in hospital.
“Alhamdulillah, he (Rafizi) is getting better,” Anwar said in a Facebook post, adding he was praying for the Pandan MP’s speedy recovery.