KUCHING: Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said he was shocked and concerned over the recent incident involving the son of former Economy Minister Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli.
He described the act of pulling and injecting the child with a syringe as something rare and alarming, stressing that the safety of leaders and their families must be given due attention.
“I was taken aback because such incidents seldom happen and are quite disturbing.
“We do not know why this happened — perhaps there had been provocation or threats towards Rafizi beforehand,” he said when met by reporters after attending the state gala dinner for 24th Asean-China Senior Officials’ Meeting on the Implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) on Wednesday (Aug 13).
Abdul Karim said only the police will be able to determine the facts after a thorough investigation, adding that it is important for the case to be resolved quickly.
He warned that incidents of this nature could instil fear and anxiety among the public, something which should not be allowed to take root in Malaysia.
“I hope the police will investigate, get to the bottom of this, and ensure such incidents do not recur,” he added.
Earlier reports stated that Rafizi claimed that an assault on his 12-year-old son in Putrajaya was a deliberate warning aimed at silencing him, but vowed he will “not bow to any threats” and will continue his duties as usual.
In his recent statement, Rafizi said the incident happened at around 1.45 pm when his wife and son were getting into their car after leaving a shopping mall in Putrajaya.
“Suddenly, a man grabbed my son and jabbed him with a syringe. In my view, the assault had been planned in advance,” he said, adding that checks revealed two men on a motorcycle had been tailing his wife’s car.
He described the assailants as wearing all black and full-face helmets, saying they had been “lying in wait” and rushed to attack at the “right moment.”
His son was immediately taken to UPM Hospital for treatment, he added.
Police arrived shortly after the incident and statements have been taken from the family. Rafizi said further details should come from the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) and UPM Hospital.
