PKR’S RAFIZI APOLOGISES FOR LINKING COMPANY OWNER WITH U.S. LOBBYIST

PKR vice-president issues public apology for getting the ‘wrong’ Florence Goh

RAFIZI Ramli has been left red-faced in his quest to link the government with an American lobbyist, because a businesswoman said to be involved in the deal has denied that she is involved and demanded a public apology from the PKR leader.

In his blog, Rafizi had linked Florence Goh and her company, CRT Insights Technologies Sdn Bhd, to Godfrey Group Ltd, the firm that had allegedly hired Healy Baumgardner-Nardone, a former aide to United States President Donald Trump, for a fee of US$250,000 (RM1.125 million) to lobby for the Malaysian government.

Goh said Rafizi even used the wrong address for her company in Johor Baru,

“I came out to seek the media’s help because Rafizi has wrongly used my name as well as my company’s. My business address is No 42, Jalan Molek 2/1, Taman Molek Johor Baru. Not No 42, Jalan Molek 2/3, as stated by Rafizi.

“I can’t sleep, eat or work because of this. My investors from Singapore are asking if I am the Florence Goh. Even my staff are worried,” she said.

Goh said numerous attempts to contact Rafizi had ended in failure. She said he must apologise or face legal action.

“I’m a professional information technology trainer. My name is everywhere online. His allegations are harmful to my business, my family and my reputation.

“If he doesn’t issue a public apology, I have the right to exercise my legal option,” she said.

Goh then sought help from the Secretariat for the Advancement of Malaysian Entrepreneurs, which is under the purview of Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong, who was also present at the press conference.

“I have no idea what Rafizi is trying to do. I’ve got nothing to do with the US lobbyist. I don’t follow politics. I just do my business. He has victimised me.”

After Goh’s predicament was highlighted online, Rafizi, who is also PKR vice-president, issued a public apology and admitted it was a case of mistaken identity.

“I apologise to Florence Goh Siew Boey, the owner of CRT Insights Technologies Sdn Bhd. She’s not the Florence Goh involved with the US lobbyist,” he said in a statement.

He claimed that the individual he meant was Florence Goh Swee Gaik, who owned a company in Taman Molek, Johor Baru and runs a charity organisation named Care United Johor Baru. Rafizi claimed the confusion occurred “as business addresses of both individuals are similar”.