THE Selangor UMNO Liaison Committee has denounced a viralled letter urging Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli to step down with former finance minister Lim Guan Eng being named as the right candidate to take charge of that portfolio.
Branding the letter as “Selangor state poll slander has begun”, the UMNO state body claimed that the letter which is circulating on social media is fake and seditious.
“The Selangor UMNO Liaison Committee has never issued a letter or statement regarding the matter. Strict action will be taken against irresponsible parties,” it pointed out in a recent Facebook post.
In an accompanying statement dated yesterday (June 22), the state body said such fake news has an evil agenda to smear the image and reputation of the Selangor UMNO Liaison Committee and the unity government in the face of the upcoming Selangor state election.
“The Selangor UMNO Liaison Committee remains committed to strengthening the country’s political stability and welcomes cooperation within the unity government,” it added.
Addressed to UMNO president Datuk Seri Ahnad Zahid Hamidi, the fake letter, among others, claimed that Rafizi has failed in his capacity as the Economy Minister to resolve depreciation of the ringgit which has further escalated the cost of living which has now become a burden to many ordinary citizens.
“Therefore, YB Rafizi must let go his position to facilitate the defence of urban states such as Selangor and Penang in the upcoming state elections,” claimed the letter.
“In the view of Selangor UMNO, the individual who should replace YB Rafizi must possess experience and good track record. Therefore, UMNO Selangor wishes to nominate YB Lim Guan Eng as the new Economy Minister”.
The fake letter bore the letter head of the Selangor UMNO Liaison Committee and signature of Datuk Wira Abdul Mutalip Abdul Rahim who is the UMNO Petaling Jaya Division head-cum-Petaling Jaya Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman. – June 23, 2023
