YOURSAY ‘Syed Ali, your credibility is now at stake. Don’t chicken out on us.’

Politics burns a hole in Rafizi's pocket

ACR: Kudos to Pandan MP Rafizi Ramli for his assets declaration. He has done a great job as MP and he has potential for greater things in public life.

A talented Malay like him (an electrical engineer and an Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales fellow) could have chosen to latch on to Umno and gone places - perhaps as CEO of some GLC (government-linked company).

But he followed his conscience for a better Malaysia. I am however intrigued (thanks to Rafizi's declaration) by the salaries paid by GLCs, and Petronas in particular.

Rafizi was 26 years old in 2003 when he joined Petronas and left in 2009 at age 32. His average monthly pay was RM25,000 as a senior manager during that time and he has declared that his annual salary was between RM300,000 to RM500,000.

True, Rafizi is an outlier insofar as his qualifications are concerned. But does Petronas pay every single of its staff this salary range? 

CQ Muar: Syed Ali Alhabshee, being the Cheras Umno division chief, you must live by example and maintain your reputation, otherwise this will confirm Umno leaders are nothing but empty vessels.

You initiated the challenge to declare assets, and Rafizi accepted it and even fulfilled the needful. The ball is now in your court to follow likewise, and ensure all Umno leaders follow suit; otherwise you'd confirm you're all nothing but liars, good-for-nothing and bull-shitters.

As for Rafizi, way to go and bravo. You're a fine example of a model leader and one who walks the talk. This country needs great leaders like you to steer this corrupted nation away from blood-suckers.

Ferdtan: Syed Ali, you were brave enough to challenge others and now it is your turn, since Rafizi had accepted your challenge.

The Selangor MB and his exco members are going to follow suit . Syed Ali, after you have publicly declared your assets, you must also get all BN ministers and as well as state exco members in BN-controlled states to follow the good example set by Selangor.

Syed Ali, your credibility is now at stake. Don’t chicken out on us.

Onepen: With DSAI (Anwar Ibrahim) in prison, we needed a trustworthy and reliable young leader who is bent on doing good through politics, like the Anwar of the 70s.

I am excited because my career began in Terengganu (before Rafizi was born) and I had wondered why Terengganu had not produced a PM or DPM. I hope Rafizi will be able to fill that position soon. We can help him to help us.

Magnus: Excellent move, MP Rafizi. Now go one step further with that good example and give up the corporate consultant role which does not sit right with the role of MP.

Anonymous_1371477558: Magnus, you are one of the many people who expects too much from a leader. Many expect a politician to be as poor as a church mouse and risk his life, if necessary.

An MP like YB Rafizi serves tens of thousands of voters. Whereas the CEO of a company may only serve a few hundred shareholders, but earn much more. So YB, I salute you.

Magnus: This is a general reply to those who presume to know who I am. I do not expect MPs to be underpaid.

On the contrary, I expect them to be appropriately honest and skilled individuals who are paid very well from the public purse at salaries that are benchmarked to equivalent private sector salaries.

Elected representatives like MPs do a very valuable job for the citizenry and so must be recognised and remunerated accordingly for their right honourable’s full-time roles in public service.

Hence I do not expect any MP to be "as poor as a church mouse" or to compromise themselves in business partnerships and conflict of interest situations while performing their job as politicians.

I would suspect that as Rafizi is said to be a trained accountant, he may see where I am coming from and leading to on these not unreasonable expectations for those who volunteer themselves to hold political power in public service roles.

Chin2Lun: One still has to eat, so I suggest people who are able to should engage him as an adviser or consultant. A few engagements here and there should be sufficient to support this future PM as he makes his way in the world of politics.

Malaysians cannot have something for nothing. Anyone of integrity should be encouraged.

Mushiro: Rafizi, you are a very successful man at your young age and considering your ‘kampong’ (village) background. I believe you definitely know where you are going and which path to take.

So far you have taken the clean and honest path and I hope you keep it that way. Your decisions, your strategies, your fearless guts, your wisdom and your stand have humbled many.

You are taking a very thorny path to the top but your confidence and patience will lead you there, InshaAllah.

MCAidiot: I admire Rafizi’s courage. He even tells public he has net asset of RM1.56 million. My salute to him.

Commando 69: Rafizi has done his part. What about others? Who’s next?

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