Rafizi apologises for identifying wrong woman

PUTRAJAYA: Rafizi Ramli has apologised to a businesswoman for misidentifying her as the head of a company hired to lobby the United States government.

In a statement, the PKR’s Pandan MP said he took full responsibility for his mistake.

“I confirm that Goh Siew Boey from CRT Insights Technologies Sdn Bhd is not the Florence Goh who is the director of Godfrey Group Ltd involved in the lobbying contract,” he said.

Rafizi had earlier claimed that Goh was the director of Godfrey Group based on public documents lodged to the US Department of Justice.

He said the company paid Washington-based firm 45 Group for lobbying services and meetings between the Malaysian Government and the administration of US president Donald Trump.

The 45 Group is headed by Healy Baumgardner-Nardone, a former aide to Trump. The Prime Minister’s Office had denied that the Government had “instructed, appointed or contracted in any form with Godfrey Group Ltd, the 45 Group or Healy Baumgardner-Nardone”.

Yesterday, Florence Goh Siew Boey clarified in a press conference that she is not the same Florence Goh identified by Rafizi in the case.

“I am Florence Goh Siew Boey, the head of my own IT business CRT Insights Technologies Sdn Bhd. I am not the Florence Goh who heads Godfrey Group Limited.

“My company’s address is 42, Jalan Molek 2/1 whereas Godfrey Group Limited’s is 41, Jalan Molek 2/3. “I have nothing to do with that other company,” said Goh.

Present at the press conference was Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong.

Goh said the exposé by Rafizi has tainted her image and that of her company, and is demanding that the MP “clear her name”.

Goh had lodged a police report against Rafizi on May 29.

Dr Wee said Rafizi should investigate first before making allegations.

“He has every right as an MP to expose wrongdoings, but it has to be something that is true,” said Dr Wee.