Man who paid RM1.4 million to Sarawak Report is Hadi’s friend, not Anwar’s, says Rafizi

Updated 5 years ago · Published on 2 Mar 2019 4:29PM · 8 Comments

Rafizi Ramli says PAS leaders should correct their supporters who are slandering Rameli Musa. – The Malaysian Insight file pic, March 2, 2019.

THE man who paid RM1.4 million to Sarawak Report editor Clare Rewcastle-Brown for Abdul Hadi Awang is the PAS president’s friend, and not Anwar Ibrahim’s.

PKR vice-president Rafizi Ramli said this today in defence of his party president, Anwar, who is under attack from PAS supporters after claiming that a payout was made to settle Hadi’s defamation suit against Rewcastle-Brown.

The British journalist has confirmed that Hadi had paid her legal costs as part of an out-court-settlement of the PAS leader’s defamation suit against her.

Yesterday, Rafizi named businessman Rameli Musa as the bank account holder of a RM1.4 million cheque issued to Rewcastle-Brown’s lawyer.

“It is widely known that he has given financial contributions to PAS,” Rafizi said in a statement on his Facebook page today.

Rafizi said Rameli had studied at the Malay College Kuala Kangsar and was also in Angkatan Belia Islam Malaysia, two organisations Anwar had been involved in as a student and leader, respectively, but this did not mean Rameli was an Anwar supporter.

The former Pandan MP rejected allegations by PAS supporters who attempted to link Anwar to Rameli, who is now Keretapi Tanah Melayu Bhd chairman.

“There is nothing wrong with Rameli Musa being close to Hadi Awang. 

“It is only wrong that PAS is being dishonest by spinning this issue as political capital.

“It is wrong of PAS leaders not to correct their supporters who are trying to slander Rameli when he has actually been helping PAS financially,” Rafizi said.

Rafizi yesterday said his analysis of cheque serial numbers found that the RM1.4 million payment to Rewcastle-Brown’s lawyer was from Rameli’s bank account at Bank Islam Malaysia Bhd.

He conducted the analysis to rebut claims by PAS that the cheque had been issued from a fake account in attempts to continue denying that Sarawak Report was paid to settle Hadi’s defamation suit.

Hadi had sued Sarawak Report and Rewcastle-Brown over a 2016 article which said the Islamic party took RM90 million from Umno, believed to be money from 1Malaysia Development Bhd.

Hadi and Rewcastle-Brown in January agreed to an out-of court settlement, the terms of which are confidential. 

Anwar, however, recently claimed he had bank statements as evidence that RM1.4 million was paid to Sarawak Report, which PAS immediately denied.

Rewcastle-Brown has since confirmed that payment was made and posted a photo of the cheque issued to her lawyer, Americk Singh. – March 2, 2019.

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Comments

  • This Rameli obviously must be REMOVED from being KTMs Chairman. Being the chairman of KTM what business does this Rameli have in getting involved with PASs issues, in particular in the out of court settlement of Sarawak Report?
    He should just concentrate on improving KTMs lackadaisical services.. Since he is so free, remove him and replace with some who is dynamic and can deliver results.

    Posted 5 years ago by Kampung Boy · Reply

  • Secondly, how did Rameli come about with that kind of hard cash? RM1.4 million is a lot of money for the chairman of KTM to be having. Unless he has other sources of funds.. In any event a report must be lodged with MACC to investigate Rameli and ensure the legitimacy of the source of fund..

    Posted 5 years ago by Kampung Boy · Reply

  • 1. RM90 million windfall from UMNOs 1MDB - for purchase of luxury assets, vehicles, overseas study for children?

    Posted 5 years ago by Kampung Boy · Reply

  • 2. RM1.4 million payout by PAS to Sarawak Report as out of court settlement to close the corruption case, otherwise the whole truth will be exposed to the world.

    Posted 5 years ago by Kampung Boy · Reply

  • PAS is not what it seems... All dirty and corrupted as they can get. Hopefully the PAS members are wise enough to see this an remove their corrupted leaders... I imagine only a few leaders are corrupted. Just remove them and replace them
    This is yet some hope for PAS, unlike the beyond help DUMNO..

    Posted 5 years ago by Kampung Boy · Reply

  • Rafizi ini buat malu kolet saja. Kuat kelentong. Dengar cerita pandai research. Rameli tu kawan dan supporter Anwar sehingga dia ' give up ' dgn Pak Syeikh. Rafizi patut pi tanya pasai apa RM dah tak percaya dgn Anwar lagi.

    Posted 5 years ago by [email protected] · Reply

    • RM ia sendiri sesat, mana ada kaitan pasal anwar?

      Posted 5 years ago by Tanahair Ku · Reply

  • This Rameli is a snake.How can the PH govt appoint him as KTM chairman?He is scheming with Najib and Hadi to bring down PH.

    Posted 5 years ago by Soma Govin · Reply