WHO is the lawmaker on-the-run businessman Victor Chin referred to as the PKR MP with the initial “R” whom he alleged to having pocketed RM9.5 mil out of a total RM10 mil to act as middleman to resolve his “corporate mafia” woes remains in doubt.
The two MPs in PKR with the initial “R” are former economy minister Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli and Datuk Seri R. Ramanan, the current Human Resources Minister.
While Rafizi brushed off the allegation as laughable, Ramanan took the matter seriously, going to the extent of lashing out at Chin – calling him a devil and insisting that he had never met the man.
Ramanan reasoned that if he had not met Chin in the first place, there was no basis for the allegation of receiving money. However, meeting a person has no necessary relationship to whether money was received or not.
Moreover, it has not been established with certainty whether Chin gave the money in the first place to any PKR MP.
Editor’s Note: Meanwhile, PKR secretary-generral Dr Fuziah Salleh has warned that the party is not afraid of the “corporate Mafia” issue and is ready to take stringent action against any quarters that continue to spread slander by implicating its leadership
‘Over-reaction sends wrong signal’
Given this, there was arguably no necessity for Ramanan to react so strongly in denying his involvement. There was also no necessity to lambast Rafizi as being the source of the problem within PKR.
Ramanan’s extreme reaction might send the wrong signals. Ramanan is not a PKR leader without past controversies.
By being a loyal supporter of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, he has risen through the political ranks in PKR.
If Ramanan had truly not known or met Chin, he could have simply allowed the matter to fade away. Unfortunately, by over-reacting, he raised more questions than answers.
Chin has reportedly given the PKR MP with the initial “R” until the end of the month to return the money, failing which he claims he will reveal the identity of the individual concerned.
As a minister, Ramanan should exercise patience and avoid over-reacting to such allegations.
If he has nothing to hide, why the need for such a strong response? After all, Chin is a fugitive wanted by the authorities who may or may not possess credible information about the alleged “corporate mafia” in the country.
That is, if Chin is ever apprehended and brought back to Malaysia. There are even speculations that he is less of a problem outside the country than within it. – March 26, 2026
Former DAP stalwart and Penang deputy chief minister II Prof Ramasamy Palanisamy is chairman of the United Rights of Malaysian Party (Urimai) interim council.
The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia.
