Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli claims the recent attack on his son and threats sent to his wife were intended to deter him from investigating a scandal.
The Pandan MP said his wife received threats via text from an unknown number at 1.12am on Thursday (14 Aug), followed by a second identical message — including syringe emojis — at 11am the same day. The message read: “Diam, andai teruskan AIDS” (Quiet, or else AIDS).
“This is likely an act of intimidation against me by targeting my family,” Rafizi told reporters in Parliament. He said the threats came a day after meeting a group of whistleblowers regarding a scandal.
“In all my years of investigating similar cases, neither my wife nor I have ever received such threats. Knowing I’m not afraid of jail or personal threats, they chose to target my family instead,” he said.
The 12-year-old boy was assaulted at about 1.45pm on Wednesday at a Putrajaya shopping mall. Two masked men in black, riding a motorcycle, allegedly jabbed him with a syringe as he was getting into a car with his mother. Rafizi believes the attack was premeditated and carried out by professionals who tracked his wife’s movements.
“I recently moved house, so very few people know where I live. The attack happened exactly when my wife stepped away and my son opened the car door,” he said.
Tests have so far shown no signs of drugs or poison, but doctors will continue monitoring his son for six months in case the syringe contained a virus.
Despite the threats, Rafizi said he and his wife remain committed to investigating scandals. He added that the family will now adopt heightened security measures.
He suggested the incident may be linked to his recent whistleblower meeting, which involved allegations against an individual in a coal mining scandal. Rafizi had earlier urged the MACC to investigate Farhash Wafa Salvador Rizal Mubarak, a former aide to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
“In my view, the motive is related to my work. If the message is for me to keep quiet about a certain matter, naturally, I would think it’s the one the whistleblowers raised,” he said.
According to Rafizi, the suspects were completely covered, including full-face helmets, making identification impossible. CCTV footage and witness statements — from his family, driver, and bystanders — have been handed to police.
He believes the attackers may be trying to pressure his wife, knowing that distressing her could influence his decisions.
“I’ve faced threats, summonses, imprisonment, and loss of position before. I cannot be bothered. Those involved probably think targeting my wife and only child will work,” he said.
Rafizi said his family has endured political pressures for 15 years, but this time was different as it involved his child. “We’ve been through prison sentences and other threats before. We don’t intend to change course. We will continue as usual,” he added.