Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli made a rather surprising revelation today after he revealed that he had been “off-grid” from instant messaging platforms for a long time.
In fact, he asserted that not even Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim could reach him on WhatsApp as Rafizi had long uninstalled the messaging app.
Economy Minister, Rafizi Ramli
Taking to his official X account, the Economy Minister was replying and confirming a post by @StratcommPMX who claimed that Rafizi had long uninstalled WhatsApp.
The post by @StratcommPMX itself was in reply to former Bangi Member of Parliament (MP) Ong Kian Ming who claimed that he had been blocked on WhatsApp by Rafizi.
Ong, who is also the former Deputy Minister of International Trade and Industry (MITI), was trying to get an invitation as a guest on Rafizi’s newly launched “Yang Bakar Menteri” podcast.
Back to the Economy Minister’s X post, Rafizi said that he doesn’t even have a group family chat and told others to not be offended if he doesn’t reply to their message on instant messaging apps.
He further claimed that uninstalling all of the messaging apps is in his honest opinion better for one’s mental health.
Rafizi asserted,
“Yes, I have long gone off-grid from instant messaging. I have long uninstalled WhatsApp. Better for mental health in my honest opinion.”
“Not even a group family chat. Don’t be disheartened if I don’t reply, even Anwar Ibrahim can’t get a blue tick on WhatsApp because I am not on WhatsApp ?”
In the replies to the X post, Malaysians have mixed reactions to Rafizi’s revelation, with some saying that going ‘off-grid’ makes it hard for people to reach him for pressing issues.
One commenter questioned how the Prime Minister or any other government officials can reach him if he’s not on any messaging apps.
Similarly, another netizen said that this makes it hard for his staff to communicate regarding work-related matters and wonders if they have to rely on emails to do so.
Meanwhile, one Malaysian said that if the Prime Minister is not mad at one of his Ministers for not replying to his WhatsApp, then other bosses out there shouldn’t be mad when their employees don’t reply to a work-related message late at night.
So, what do you guys think of the Economy Minister not being on any instant messaging platforms? Share your thoughts with us in the comments.
Also read: PADU Only at 3.45% Registration Target, Rafizi Urges M’sians to Help Non-Tech Savvy Friends Sign Up
