SHAH ALAM - Former aide to former economy minister Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli, James Chai, has firmly denied claims that he is evading
He insisted he was neither in hiding nor comparable to fugitive businessman Low Taek Jho better known as Jho Low after the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) issued a public notice seeking him to assist in investigations.
Chai criticised the move by MACC and its chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki, claiming that the anti-graft agency did not try to contact him directly before publicly stating it was tracking him down over a RM1.1 billion government agreement with a foreign firm.
"The basis of this investigation is the allegation that my former boss, Rafizi, misappropriated funds and that the transaction I was involved in was approved hastily and improperly.
"MACC issued a public notice to locate me as if I were a fugitive and Azam Baki himself held a press conference on the matter. He gave the impression that I am hiding like a fugitive. I am not. To understand the purpose of this campaign, we must look at it as a whole.
"The main narrative that the government is attempting to promote is that Rafizi misappropriated RM1.1 billion from the collaboration and that I, James Chai, am ‘Jho Low 2.0’ who assisted Rafizi in this matter," he said.
Previously, it was reported that MACC had summoned a former senior minister in relation to alleged misappropriation involving a RM1.11 billion semiconductor investment, with 12 individuals called so far to provide statements.
Chai maintained that during his tenure at the ministry, he never influenced Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, the Cabinet or any part of the government to secure employment with Arm Limited.
"After exactly two months, I resigned from that short-term role so that I could finally move on with my life," he said, referring to a temporary role he accepted after leaving government service in June, last year.
He further expressed disappointment that MACC did not attempt to reach him directly.
"MACC took the step of issuing a public search notice and holding a press conference to ‘locate’ me. They even displayed my childhood home, which is now occupied by my parents, thereby exposing my family to unnecessary danger.
"The government has sufficient resources, yet they cannot find my WhatsApp number. They could have asked my friends or my former colleagues in the government. They could have sent me an email or a message through social media," he said.
Currently based in the United Kingdom working in artificial intelligence risk and policy regulation, Chai said he would continue to defend himself.
"I know I could have chosen a different path, but I will never regret serving my country because serving Malaysia remains the greatest honour of my life. Nothing will change that fact," he said.