FORMER economy minister Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli has issued a stark warning to his own coalition: continuous corruption controversies, if ignored, will not remain mere “social-media issues” but could spell political disaster for Pakatan Harapan (PH) and PKR.
“Every party has people who ‘eat’. The difference is only the packaging,” Rafizi said bluntly.
“In UMNO days, they carried cash bags in suits and songkok. In PAS, kopiah. In PKR, perhaps a slim briefcase. But the culture is the same: vested interests that never die.”
He argued that Malaysian society has long normalised small-scale corruption.
“In people’s minds, ‘he needs money because later he has to give some to me’. Like the ‘wave and get RM100’ culture. Where the money comes from is ‘his business’. As long as I get my share, it’s fine.”
Rafizi also warned that when the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) is perceived as lacking independence, every prosecution becomes labelled “selective”.
“Even genuine cases will be swept under the carpet with ‘it’s just political games’.”
Rafizi, who is also the Pandan MP fears the long-term damage is irreversible.
“When the anti-corruption credential is gone, I ask one simple question: what else can PKR sell to the people?”
He stressed he has no personal agenda against anyone in MACC.
“I have no MACC friends I call out for coffee. Let them work freely. But if contracts are renewed for the fourth time and public perception doesn’t change, all our shouts of ‘eradicating corruption’ are just water off a taro leaf.”
Rafizi concluded: “After years of building credibility, risking everything for the anti-corruption fight, it would all be wasted if PKR/PH ends up being seen as no different from the rest. That is why I will keep speaking, so at least some voters still feel all is not lost.” — Dec 13, 2025
Main photo credit: Bernama
