By Ashley Sim
KUCHING, Aug 14: Sarawak Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry, and Performing Arts Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah has urged police to thoroughly investigate and resolve the recent syringe attack on the 12-year-old son of former Economy Minister Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli, saying it is crucial to address public concerns over safety.
Expressing shock over the rare incident, Abdul Karim stressed that the security of leaders and their families must be strengthened to prevent such occurrences.
“If such a thing can happen, we do not know the real motive behind it. Perhaps there were prior threats against Rafizi,” he told reporters when asked about the matter during the State Gala Dinner held in conjunction with the 24th ASEAN-China Senior Officials’ Meeting on the Implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties (DOC) at a hotel here last night (Aug 13).
Abdul Karim also voiced concern that the incident could instil fear among the public.
“I hope the police can investigate, probe, and resolve this matter so that the sense of fear can be alleviated. Only the police will know more details after their investigations,” he added.
Police have confirmed that the son of a former minister was assaulted at a shopping mall in Putrajaya yesterday afternoon (Aug 13).
Selangor police chief Datuk Shazeli Kahar said the incident, which is believed to have occurred around 2pm, took place at the mall’s pick-up and drop-off area.
“The incident happened when the victim was reportedly with his mother and their driver,” he said, as quoted by Bernama.
Shazeli added that the boy is currently undergoing further examination at a hospital in Selangor.
Investigations are ongoing, with police also reviewing closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage from the scene.
Rafizi confirmed in a Facebook post that the victim was his son.
“Around 1.45pm, as my son and wife were getting into the car to leave a shopping mall in Putrajaya, a man grabbed him and pricked him with a syringe,” he wrote.
He said the assault involved two men on a motorcycle, dressed in black and wearing helmets, who he claimed had been following his wife’s car.
“My son has been taken to Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) Hospital for treatment. The police were also at the scene immediately after the incident. My family and I have given statements to the police,” he added.
Rafizi said that in all his years in politics, his family had never experienced such an ordeal.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, in a Facebook post, condemned the attack and described it as a despicable act that comes amid ongoing concerns over bullying in schools.
“We are still reeling from the issue of bullying in schools, and now comes another deeply regrettable act, which is an evil and treacherous attempt against Rafizi Ramli’s son,” he said in a Facebook post.
Anwar said he had contacted Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail to ensure that investigations are conducted transparently and immediately.
He also conveyed his best wishes for Rafizi and his family’s wellbeing. — DayakDaily
