KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, July 1, 2025 – A fiery exchange has erupted between Pandan MP and former Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli and UMNO veteran Dato’ Puad Zarkashi, as Rafizi dismissed Puad’s recent caution about a potential prison sentence. In a pointed statement on social media, Puad urged Rafizi not to “overheat” and risk a grim fate behind bars, a remark Rafizi shrugged off as a bid for media attention.
For years, Puad has targeted Rafizi with online jabs, which the latter ignored out of respect for parliamentary decorum during their time as part of the same government. However, Rafizi suggested Puad’s animosity stems from his tenure as head of JASA (now JKOM) under Datuk Seri Najib Razak, where he was tasked with defending the former prime minister ahead of the 2018 general election. Rafizi’s exposés, including the National Feedlot Corporation (NFC) scandal, reportedly strained Puad’s efforts, leading to his exclusion as UMNO’s Batu Pahat parliamentary candidate in 2018.
“Perhaps because he was seen as ineffective as JASA chief, he was dropped,” Rafizi remarked, noting Puad’s brief flirtation with an independent run—complete with two nomination forms purchased—before withdrawing. Despite this, Puad’s political journey includes a single parliamentary win and a recent victory in the Rengit state seat during the 2022 Johor election, a bittersweet triumph for KEADILAN/PH amid a somber campaign.
Rafizi, undeterred by Puad’s warnings, emphasized his readiness to face any consequence. “If I feared cases, I wouldn’t have resigned. I comply with whatever is required—silence when asked, action when directed,” he said. He highlighted his unblemished record as minister, never intervening in procurement or leveraging his authority, even delegating property acquisition approvals above RM20 million to a committee.
Reflecting on his past, Rafizi recalled enduring 14 legal cases, including a three-year prison sentence, during Puad’s JASA days under the Najib administration. “I accepted it all and left it to Allah’s will,” he stated. Turning the tables, Rafizi advised Puad, who is over 20 years his senior, to focus on personal accountability rather than his political demise.
As the political spat intensifies, Rafizi remains steadfast, while Puad’s comments continue to stir debate among supporters and critics alike.