APHR Condemns Syringe Attack on Rafizi Ramli’s Son as Gross Political Intimidation

KUALA LUMPUR, 15 August 2025— The ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights (APHR) denounces in the strongest terms the recent syringe assault on the son of former Malaysian Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli, as well as the threatening messages aimed at terrorizing his family.

“To target a child as a means of political intimidation and censorship is utterly unacceptable and strikes at the very core of personal security and human dignity that every ASEAN member state pledges to uphold,” emphasized Arlene Brosas, APHR Board Member and Former Member of the House of Representatives of the Philippines. 

Media reports describe how the 12 year old was approached outside a shopping complex in Putrajaya and pricked with a syringe by an unknown individual; a clear attempt to weaponize fear against a minor linked to his father’s public service.

Mercy Chriesty Barends, APHR Chairperson and Member of the House of Representatives of Indonesia reiterated that, “assaulting an innocent child to convey a political threat is a brazen violation of human decency and the rule of law. We call on Malaysian authorities to pursue a swift, impartial investigation and ensure that those behind this act face justice.”

APHR emphasizes that legislators must act decisively to bolster the legal and institutional frameworks that shield children from political violence. This includes providing resources and clear guidance to authorities on how to recognize and handle cases where minors, especially those connected to public figures, face threats or harassment.

“No democracy can flourish when its youngest members are used as collateral in politically-charged conflicts particularly to silence corruption cases or issues of national interest. In this light, APHR stands firmly with the Ramli family and demand that this incident serve as a catalyst for robust safeguards, so every child in our region can grow up free from fear,” affirmed Maria Angelina Sarmento, APHR Board Member and Member of Parliament of Timor-Leste.

This damaging circumstance reflects a disturbing pattern of coercion that endangers elected officials, public servants and their families and ultimately the integrity of democratic participation across Southeast Asia.

APHR insists that the Malaysian government demonstrates full transparency, holds perpetrators to account and implements measures to prevent any recurrence of weaponizing fear against children as a form of political harassment and censorship. ###