JOHOR BARU: Datuk Dr Abdul Latiff Ahmad has told Rafizi Ramli to come up with concrete evidence that Zainab Mohd Salleh is his wife.

The Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Special Functions) said with the 15th General Election (GE15) looming, the PKR deputy president was targeting him to paint a picture that Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia leaders are corrupt.

Abdul Latiff said although he had given his explanation over the matter, Rafizi continues to harp on the issue.

“I do not have any wives or former wife named Zainab and whatever she does has nothing to do with me.

“I was the deputy defence minister from 2009 until 2013. The LCS contract date to BNS was made on July 17, 2014.

“I did not play any role in the LCS contract and my family did not get any defence or supply contracts with the ministry when I was the deputy minister,” he added.

“Rafizi’s accusation is that there is supposedly a forensic report by Alliance IFA (M) Sdn Bhd (Alliance) to Boustead Heavy Industries Corporation Berhad (BHIC) that links me to the littoral combat ship (LCS) issue.

“Rafizi also alleged I have a second wife named Zainab Mohd Salleh who got a defence contract worth tens of millions of ringgit from the Defence Ministry for the LCS when I was the deputy minister.

“So whatever Zainab did, it was attributed to my said wrongdoing,” said the Mersing MP in a statement here on Friday (Aug 26) night.

Abdul Latiff said that Rafizi ignored the fact that there was a “notice to the reader” contained in the introduction of the forensic report which sates that the report was unable to assess the veracity of the oral and documentary representations made by people associated with the matter which it relied on.

Abdul Latiff also said that Rafizi had used a forensic report which was an unsigned draft with unverified content.

He claimed Rafizi hid the fact that there was an authentic forensic report signed by Alliance which did not mention Zainab as his second wife.

Abdul Latiff said Rafizi’s allegations threaten the people’s trust in the government and affect national security whenever an explanation needs to be made as it reveals the secrets of the national defence assets to public knowledge.

“Assuming Rafizi is really sure that Zainab is my second wife, then please submit the proof.

“As a member of the Cabinet, I am ready to be investigated to prove the truth of what I said. Stop spreading allegations,” he added.