Perikatan Nasional (PN) has condemned the attack on the 12-year-old son of former economy minister Rafizi Ramli, describing it as a serious threat to Malaysia’s democracy.
Opposition chief whip Takiyuddin Hassan slammed the “completely unacceptable” incident in which Rafizi’s son was dragged and stabbed with a syringe by an assailant at a shopping mall in Putrajaya.
The Kota Bharu MP also said PN took note of Rafizi’s statement that the attack was intended as a warning for him to stop speaking out on certain issues.
“If this is true, it represents a disturbing development of thuggish politics, which poses a serious threat to the country’s democratic landscape,” he said in a statement.
“Differences in political views should never lead to threats or physical violence, especially when children are involved.
“The perpetrator must be brought to justice and face strict legal action as a clear message that any form of violence, especially against children, has no place in Malaysia.”
Expressing PN’s moral support for Rafizi and his family, Takiyuddin said PN also prayed for a full recovery for Rafizi’s son.
He urged the public not to be influenced by any form of provocation or speculation that might be deliberately created to divide society as a result of the attack.
“The country’s peace and stability are our shared responsibility,” he said.
Selangor police chief Shazeli Kahar said yesterday that the incident was believed to have occurred at 2pm at the mall’s pick-up and drop-off area.
He told Bernama the incident occurred when the boy was with his mother and their driver. He said investigations were ongoing, and that police were reviewing the closed-circuit television footage from the scene.
Rafizi, the Pandan MP, said the attack was unprecedented in his political career.
The former PKR deputy president said the assault involved two men on a motorcycle, dressed in black and wearing helmets, whom he claimed had been following his wife’s car.
“I believe this attack was a warning for me not to speak out strongly on certain matters,” he said in a statement.
“God willing, while I will be taking follow-up steps to strengthen security measures, I will not bow to any threats and will continue to carry out my duties as usual.”
