This showed his total net assets decreasing by RM600,000 since his last asset declaration last year.

His total net assets as of March 10, 2015 was RM1,564,407. This decreased to RM953,021 this year.

According to Rafizi, the reason for the decrease was his withdrawal of most of his money from his Lembaga Tabung Haji account, done in stages since April 2016.

He had initially deposited RM70,000 into his Tabung Haji account between October last year and January this year, the money coming from his salary increase arrears as an MP amounting to RM113,323.28.

He made the decision to withdraw most of his money after scrutinising Tabung Haji’s finances in February.

“(I did not reveal the withdrawals earlier because) it could have triggered a panic if I said I was going to withdraw half a million ringgit (from Tabung Haji).

“Beginning April 2016, I started withdrawing my savings in Tabung Haji in stages: RM100,000 in April 2016, RM100,000 in June 2016 and RM330,000 in September 2016,” he said, adding that the three withdrawals totalled up to RM530,000.

He said RM500,000 from that amount was used to set up and fund his new NGO, Invoke, while the other RM30,000 was used to pay part of his house renovation costs, he said.

His assets had also decreased this year after he removed two cars worth almost RM150,000 in total from his assets as they were used and paid for by his staff, even though they were bought under his name.